Divorce Resources in Connecticut: Court Forms, Legal Aid & Filing Guide

To file for divorce in Connecticut, you must meet the residency requirement under C.G.S. § 46b-44: at least one spouse must have been a Connecticut resident for 12 months before the final decree is entered, or must have been domiciled in Connecticut at the time of marriage and returned with intent to remain permanently. You may file the complaint before completing 12 months of residency, but the court will not grant the final dissolution until the requirement is satisfied. Connecticut is a no-fault divorce state — the most common ground is irretrievable breakdown of the marriage under C.G.S. § 46b-40(c)(1). File your case at the Superior Court in the judicial district where either spouse resides.

Begin by completing the Summons — Family Actions (JD-FM-3) and the Divorce Complaint (JD-FM-159), which identifies the parties, date and place of marriage, minor children, and grounds for dissolution. Attach the Notice of Automatic Court Orders (JD-FM-158), which takes effect immediately upon the plaintiff's signing and upon service on the defendant. Include a blank Appearance form (JD-CL-12) for the defendant. If minor children are involved, also complete the Affidavit Concerning Children (JD-FM-164) and the Certification of Notice in Family Cases (JD-FM-175) if either party has received public assistance. File all documents with the Superior Court clerk and pay the $360 filing fee.

After filing, you must arrange service of process on your spouse through a state marshal or other authorized process server, which costs approximately $50 under C.G.S. § 52-50. The defendant must file an Appearance (JD-CL-12) by the second day after the Return Date — the date the case officially enters the court docket. Both parties must complete and exchange Financial Affidavits (JD-FM-6-SHORT for income under $75,000 or JD-FM-6-LONG for income over $75,000) as required by Connecticut Practice Book §§ 25-30. If minor children are involved, both parents must attend a court-approved Parenting Education Program within 60 days under C.G.S. § 46b-69b, costing up to $200 per person.

Connecticut imposes a mandatory 90-day waiting period from the Return Date before the court may enter a final dissolution decree under C.G.S. § 46b-67. During this period, the court schedules a Resolution Plan Date approximately five days after the Return Date, where parties meet with Family Services to explore settlement options. If the parties reach agreement, they complete a Divorce Agreement (JD-FM-172), Child Support Guidelines Worksheet (JD-FM-220) if children are involved, and the Dissolution of Marriage Report (JD-FM-181). An uncontested divorce with a signed agreement can be finalized at the first hearing after the 90-day waiting period expires. Contested cases proceed through discovery, potential mediation, and trial.

Connecticut requires both parents to complete a court-approved Parenting Education Program when minor children are involved in a dissolution action under C.G.S. § 46b-69b. The court orders participation at the time of filing, and both parties must complete the program within 60 days of the return date. The program covers the developmental stages of children, the impact of parental separation on children, dispute resolution and conflict management, visitation guidelines, stress reduction techniques, and cooperative parenting strategies.

The Judicial Department contracts with certified service providers across the state to deliver the program. Each participant pays a fee directly to the service provider, capped at $200 per person under C.G.S. § 46b-69b(d). No person may be excluded from the program for inability to pay. The court may waive the requirement if both parties agree (subject to court approval), the court determines on motion that participation is unnecessary, or the parties select and complete a comparable parenting education program. Failure to complete the program may result in sanctions and can be held against a party by the court. Certification of completion is filed using Form JD-FM-149.

Mediation is not mandatory for divorce in Connecticut. Under C.G.S. § 46b-53a, the Chief Court Administrator may establish mediation programs in designated judicial districts, but participation is voluntary. Mediation services address property, financial, child custody, and visitation issues. All communications made during mediation are privileged and inadmissible as evidence in court proceedings unless both parties agree otherwise under C.G.S. § 46b-53a(b).

While mediation is voluntary, the court does require parties to attend a Resolution Plan Date shortly after the return date, where Family Services facilitates settlement discussions. This is distinct from formal mediation. Under C.G.S. § 46b-53, either party may request conciliation, and the clerk shall order both parties to meet with a mutually acceptable conciliator or one appointed by the court. The Connecticut Judicial Branch Alternative Dispute Resolution program offers additional options at jud.ct.gov/external/super/altdisp.htm.

Both parties in a Connecticut dissolution case must file sworn Financial Affidavits under Connecticut Practice Book §§ 25-30 and 25a-15. Use the Short Form (JD-FM-6-SHORT) if gross annual income is $75,000 or less; use the Long Form (JD-FM-6-LONG) if income exceeds $75,000. The affidavit details all income sources, weekly expenses, real estate, personal property, investments, retirement accounts, bank accounts, and liabilities. The first Financial Affidavit is typically due in advance of the Resolution Plan Date.

Full and honest disclosure is mandatory — parties have a continuing duty to update their Financial Affidavits throughout the case. The court relies on these sworn statements when making orders regarding property division under C.G.S. § 46b-81, alimony under C.G.S. § 46b-82, and child support under C.G.S. § 46b-215a. Mandatory Disclosure and Production (MDP) requires exchange of tax returns, pay stubs, bank statements, and other financial records. Intentionally false or incomplete disclosures can result in sanctions, including reopening the judgment.