Best Divorce Lawyers New Haven, CT

New Haven, CT Divorce FAQs

• What is the non-emergency contact number for the local police station in New Haven, Connecticut?

  The non-emergency phone number of the New Haven Police Department is (203) 946-6316.

• Where can I get a copy of police reports for incidents related to my case in New Haven, Connecticut?

  You can visit the New Haven Police Department at 1 Union Avenue New Haven, CT 06519 to request a copy of an incident report.

• What forms do you need in filing a divorce in New Haven?

  For a contested divorce in New Haven, you'll need to fill out the following forms:

  1. JD-FM-159 or the Divorce Complaint/Cross Complaint Form;
  2. JD-FM-3 or Summons Family Law Actions Form; and if you have children with your spouse,
  3. JD-FM-164 or the Affidavit Concerning Children Form.

  For a nonadversarial divorce, complete the following:

  1. JD-FM-242 or the Joint Petition for a Nonadversarial Divorce
  2. JD-FM-260 or the Notice of Automatic Court Orders for a Nonadversarial Divorce
  3. JD-FM-243 or the Nonadversarial Divorce Agreement; and
  4. an Appearance Form for each party.

• What are the residency requirements for filing a divorce in New Haven?

  Under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46b-44 (2022), you can only file initial divorce paperwork if you or your spouse has established residence in New Haven or anywhere in Connecticut. However, the divorce will not be finalized unless you or your spouse have lived in Connecticut for one year before filing or the judge signing the divorce decree.

• Is a divorce put on public record in New Haven?

  Divorce records in New Haven, as well as the rest of Connecticut, are public records. If you are one of the following people, you can request and receive certified copies of the proceedings:

  1. Individuals listed on divorce records;
  2. Children of the parties specified in the divorce papers;
  3. Divorced parties' parents or legal guardians; and
  4. Divorced parties' legal representatives.

• Can you get a divorce in New Haven without going to court?

  According to Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 46b-44a, 46b-44c, 46b-44d (2022), if your divorce in New Haven is non-adversarial, you will not need to attend a hearing to receive your final decree. You will be allocated a disposition date, which is at least 30 days after the filing of the joint petition. If your agreement is fair and you have completed all the other requirements, the judge will issue your final divorce decree within five days.

• What is my spouse entitled to in a divorce in New Haven?

  Because Connecticut is an equitable distribution state, all marital assets in a New Haven divorce are distributed fairly and equitably. In deciding an equitable distribution, courts will consider a number of variables such as the financial contributions of each spouse in acquiring, maintaining, or appreciating their marital assets. The length of the marriage, the grounds for divorce, tax consequences, future income source, and each party's employability are also taken into consideration. It is also taken into account which spouse is responsible for caring for their minor children.