What Do I Need to Know About Filing Divorce in Connecticut with Help Yourself Divorce?
Help Yourself Divorce is a no-fault divorce service, for those who agree on the terms of the divorce and are both willing to sign the papers. The following is a list of requirements and information about what to expect from the process. Please note that this will only apply if you use the services of Help Yourself Divorce. Those seeking to use another route for their divorce should perform their own research about what to expect from the process.
Connecticut Grounds for Divorce.
Because Help Yourself Divorce is a no-fault divorce service, we will prepare your divorce papers based on the no-fault grounds that your marriage is “irretrievably broken”. This means you and your spouse agree to file a “no-fault” divorce.
Connecticut Residency Requirements.
You may file for divorce any time after you have established residency in Connecticut, intending to be a Connecticut resident. However, before the court can enter your final divorce decree, you must meet at least one of the following requirements:
(1) At least one party has been a resident of Connecticut for at least 12 months immediately before filing for divorce; or
(2) At least one party has been a resident of Connecticut for 12 months immediately before the date of your divorce decree; or
(3) At least one party was a resident of Connecticut at the time of the marriage, and returned to Connecticut with the intention of permanently remaining before the filing for divorce; or
(4) The cause for divorce (the breakdown of the marriage) happened after either party moved to Connecticut.
(5) If you are in the military, and you were a resident of the state of Connecticut at the time of entry into the military.
If you and your spouse have minor children, the court must have jurisdiction over them. Generally this means your children must have lived in Connecticut for at least six months and currently live in Connecticut, or have lived in Connecticut within six months of filing.
Please note that you may be able to qualify for residency based on other requirements. If you are unsure whether or not you fall into one of the above categories, please seek advice from an attorney.
Filing for Divorce in Connecticut.
Generally you will file for divorce in the Connecticut county where either spouse resides.
Connecticut Divorce Filing Fees.
When you file the papers, you will have to pay a separate filing fee to the Courts. Please check with your local court clerk to find out how much the current filing fee is.
Serving Your Spouse.
After you file the papers with the Court, you will need to serve your spouse with a copy of the divorce papers. Service of the divorce papers upon your spouse depends on where your spouse lives.
If your spouse lives in the State of Connecticut, you will need to contact a state marshal in the judicial district where your spouse lives or works. The Clerk will have a list of state marshals available. The state marshall will serve your spouse with the papers and provide proof of service to the Court.
If your spouse lives in another state, you will have to serve your spouse by certified or registered mail, or by contacting a process server or other person authorized to perform service in the state and county where your spouse lives.
Finalizing Your Divorce.
There is a 90 day waiting period after filing the papers before your divorce can be finalized. Your divorce will be finalized during a brief hearing. It is a good idea for both spouses to attend if possible, but only the Plaintiff is required to attend, unless otherwise ordered by the Court.
Additional Information.
Connecticut laws require a parenting education program in all divorce cases with children. Among other things, the course includes the following: information on the developmental stages of children, adjustment of children to parental separation, dispute resolution and conflict management, guidelines for visitation, and stress reduction in children and cooperative parenting.
If you have any questions about whether our service is right for you, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
IMPORTANT: Help Yourself Divorce is a paralegal service, not a law firm. Please don’t rely on this information for legal advice. Seek help from an attorney if you need legal advice.