WABC Eyewitness News anchor Liz Cho filed a contempt motion in Connecticut Superior Court against former GMA and CBS anchor Josh Elliott in March 2026, alleging he removed furniture, two Portuguese Water Dogs, and jewelry from their marital home while she vacationed with her daughter. The filing highlights how Connecticut's automatic court orders under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46b-1 and Practice Book § 25-5 restrict both spouses from moving, hiding, or dissipating marital assets during divorce proceedings.
Key Facts
| Detail | Summary |
|---|---|
| What happened | Liz Cho filed a contempt motion alleging Josh Elliott removed furniture, two dogs, and jewelry from their marital home during her vacation |
| When | March 2026, with discovery demands dating back to 2020 |
| Where | Connecticut Superior Court (Family Division) |
| Who is affected | Any Connecticut spouse subject to automatic orders during divorce |
| Key legal issue | Alleged violation of Connecticut automatic court orders restricting asset removal |
| Discovery dispute | Elliott objected to Cho's financial disclosure demands, calling them "harassing" |
Why This Filing Matters for Connecticut Divorces
Contempt motions over alleged property removal are among the most consequential filings in Connecticut family court. When one spouse removes items from the marital home during pending litigation, the court treats it as a potential violation of automatic orders that take effect the moment divorce papers are served. Connecticut is one of roughly 20 states that impose these automatic restraining orders without requiring either party to request them.
According to reporting from Page Six and TV Insider, Cho alleges that Elliott moved furniture, their two Portuguese Water Dogs, and possibly jewelry out of the family residence while she was on vacation with her daughter. Elliott has pushed back on Cho's demands for financial records going back to 2020, characterizing those requests as "harassing."
A contempt finding in Connecticut can carry serious consequences. Under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46b-87, a court may impose fines, award attorney fees to the wronged party, or even order incarceration for up to 6 months in extreme cases of willful noncompliance. Courts also have broad discretion to draw adverse inferences about hidden assets when one spouse is found to have violated automatic orders.
How Connecticut Automatic Orders Work
Connecticut Practice Book § 25-5 imposes automatic orders on both parties the moment a divorce action is served. These orders are not optional and do not require a judge's signature. They prohibit both spouses from:
- Selling, transferring, concealing, or disposing of marital property
- Removing the other party from insurance policies
- Incurring unreasonable debts
- Relocating minor children out of state without written consent or court order
- Destroying or hiding documents
The automatic orders remain in effect throughout the entire divorce proceeding until a final judgment enters or the court modifies them. Violating these orders exposes a spouse to contempt proceedings, and Connecticut courts have consistently held that ignorance of the orders is not a defense once proper service has occurred.
Connecticut's approach to property division adds another layer. As an equitable distribution state under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46b-81, courts divide marital property based on fairness rather than a strict 50/50 split. Judges consider 17 statutory factors, including each spouse's contribution to the marriage, the length of the marriage, and the causes for its dissolution. When one spouse is found to have dissipated or hidden assets, courts frequently adjust the final distribution to compensate the other party.
The Discovery Battle: What Connecticut Requires
The dispute over financial records is equally significant. Under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46b-81 and Connecticut Practice Book § 25-30, both parties must file sworn financial affidavits within 60 days of the return date. These affidavits require full disclosure of income, assets, liabilities, and expenses.
Elliott has objected to Cho's demands for financial records dating back to 2020, calling them "harassing," according to TV Insider. Connecticut courts generally take a broad view of discovery in divorce cases. Financial records from several years before filing are routinely ordered when one party alleges dissipation of assets, undisclosed income, or lifestyle inconsistencies. A 6-year lookback period (2020 to 2026) is within the range Connecticut courts have permitted in high-asset cases.
Under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46b-87, if a court finds that a party has willfully failed to comply with discovery orders, it can enter default judgment on financial issues, strike pleadings, or impose sanctions. Connecticut family courts have broad authority to compel production and punish noncompliance.
Practical Takeaways for Connecticut Residents
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Automatic orders are immediate and absolute. The moment divorce papers are served in Connecticut, neither spouse can remove, sell, hide, or transfer marital property. This includes furniture, vehicles, pets, jewelry, and financial accounts. The orders apply even if you believe the property is solely yours.
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Pets are treated as personal property under Connecticut law. While some states have begun considering pet custody standards, Connecticut currently treats pets as marital property subject to equitable distribution under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46b-81. Removing a pet from the marital home during litigation can constitute a violation of automatic orders.
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Financial disclosure is mandatory and broad. Connecticut requires sworn financial affidavits from both parties. Objecting to discovery requests as "harassing" is a recognized legal strategy, but courts rarely sustain those objections when the requesting party can articulate a reasonable basis for the records, particularly in cases alleging asset dissipation.
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Document everything before and during the process. If you suspect your spouse may remove property, photograph and inventory all marital assets. Connecticut courts rely heavily on documentation when resolving disputes over what property existed and what happened to it.
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A contempt finding can shift the financial outcome. Courts that find one spouse violated automatic orders often adjust the property division to compensate the other party. Under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46b-87, the court can also award attorney fees incurred in bringing the contempt motion.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are automatic orders in a Connecticut divorce?
Automatic orders under Connecticut Practice Book § 25-5 are court-imposed restrictions that take effect immediately when divorce papers are served. They prohibit both spouses from transferring, hiding, or destroying marital assets, removing children from the state, or canceling insurance. Violations can result in contempt findings, fines, and sanctions under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46b-87.
Can my spouse remove furniture from our home during a Connecticut divorce?
No. Connecticut automatic orders prohibit either spouse from selling, transferring, concealing, or disposing of marital property once papers are served. Furniture inside the marital home is considered marital property subject to equitable distribution under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46b-81. Removing furniture without court permission or written agreement can trigger a contempt motion.
Who gets the pets in a Connecticut divorce?
Connecticut treats pets as personal property, not dependents. Pets are subject to equitable distribution under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46b-81, and courts consider factors like who purchased the animal, who primarily cares for it, and where children reside. Removing a pet from the marital home during proceedings may violate automatic orders.
How far back can a Connecticut court require financial records in a divorce?
Connecticut courts have broad discovery powers and routinely order production of 3 to 7 years of financial records when asset dissipation is alleged. Both parties must file sworn financial affidavits within 60 days under Practice Book § 25-30. Courts can impose sanctions under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46b-87 for failure to produce ordered documents.
What happens if you violate a court order in a Connecticut divorce?
A contempt finding under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46b-87 can result in fines, payment of the other party's attorney fees, adverse inferences about hidden assets, and up to 6 months of incarceration for willful noncompliance. Courts may also adjust the final property division to compensate the wronged spouse, making contempt a high-stakes finding in Connecticut divorces.
If you are navigating a divorce in Connecticut and have questions about automatic orders, property disputes, or discovery obligations, find a divorce attorney in your county to discuss the specifics of your situation.
This article discusses recent news and provides general legal commentary. It does not constitute legal advice. Every case is unique. Consult a qualified family law attorney for advice specific to your situation.