Connecticut Divorce Guide
Everything you need to know about filing for divorce in Connecticut — residency requirements, costs, forms, timelines, and how to file without a lawyer. Updated for 2026.
Connecticut Divorce at a Glance
| Residency Requirement | 12 months in state |
| Waiting Period | 90 days — For standard contested and uncontested divorces, Connecticut imposes a mandatory 90-day waiting period from the Return Date before the court may hold a final hearing and enter a decree of dissolution. For nonadversarial divorces filed under the expedited process using Form JD-FM-242, the waiting period is reduced to approximately 30-35 days from the filing date. The 90-day period serves as a cooling-off period for reconciliation. |
| Filing Fee | $350(fee waiver available) |
| No-Fault Grounds | Irretrievable Breakdown of the Marriage, Living Apart Due to Incompatibility |
| Fault Grounds | Adultery, Fraudulent Contract, Willful Desertion, Seven Years' Absence, Habitual Intemperance, Intolerable Cruelty, Sentence to Imprisonment or Infamous Crime, Confinement for Mental Illness |
| Property Division | Equitable Distribution |
| E-Filing | Available — Connecticut offers electronic filing through the Judicial Branch E-Services portal (jud.ct.gov/external/super/e-services/efile/). Most family case types including dissolution of marriage can be filed electronically. The system accepts new case filings and subsequent filings. For assistance, contact E-Services at (866) 765-4452 or EServices@jud.ct.gov. Remote filing for family actions is also available through jud.ct.gov/family/FArequest.htm. |
| Response Window | 30 days — The defendant must file an Appearance (Form JD-CL-12) within two business days after the Return Date. A Cross-Complaint or Answer must be filed within 30 days of the Return Date. Even if the defendant does not dispute the divorce, filing a cross-complaint is advisable to preserve the ability to proceed if the plaintiff withdraws the original complaint. |
Grounds for Divorce in Connecticut
The marriage has broken down irretrievably
No-Fault Grounds
- Irretrievable Breakdown of the Marriage — Under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46b-40(c)(1), the court may grant a dissolution of marriage on the ground that the marriage has broken down irretrievably. This is the most commonly used ground and does not require evidence of marital misconduct.
- Living Apart Due to Incompatibility — Under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46b-40(c)(2), the court may grant a dissolution when the parties have lived apart by reason of incompatibility for a continuous period of at least 18 months immediately prior to the service of the complaint and there is no reasonable prospect of reconciliation.
Fault-Based Grounds
- Adultery — Under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46b-40(c)(3), adultery is grounds for dissolution. 'Adultery' means voluntary sexual intercourse between a married person and a person other than such person's spouse.
- Fraudulent Contract — Under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46b-40(c)(4), a dissolution may be granted on the ground of fraudulent contract — meaning one spouse was induced into the marriage by fraud or misrepresentation.
- Willful Desertion — Under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46b-40(c)(5), willful desertion for one year with total neglect of duty is grounds for dissolution.
- Seven Years' Absence — Under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46b-40(c)(6), seven years' absence during all of which period the absent party has not been heard from is grounds for dissolution.
- Habitual Intemperance — Under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46b-40(c)(7), habitual intemperance (addiction to alcohol or drugs) is grounds for dissolution.
- Intolerable Cruelty — Under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46b-40(c)(8), intolerable cruelty is grounds for dissolution.
- Sentence to Imprisonment or Infamous Crime — Under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46b-40(c)(9), sentence to imprisonment for life or the commission of any infamous crime involving a violation of conjugal duty punishable by imprisonment for more than one year is grounds for dissolution.
- Confinement for Mental Illness — Under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46b-40(c)(10), legal confinement in a hospital or similar institution because of mental illness for an accumulated period totaling five years within the six years immediately preceding the date of the complaint is grounds for dissolution.
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How to File for Divorce in Connecticut
Meet Residency Requirements
You must have lived in Connecticut for at least 12 months before filing. Under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46b-44(c), a divorce may be granted if one of the following conditions is met: (1) one spouse has been a resident of Connecticut for at least 12 months before the date of the filing of the complaint or before the date of the decree; (2) one spouse was domiciled in Connecticut at the time of the marriage, left the state, and returned with the intent to permanently reside; or (3) the cause for the dissolution arose after either spouse moved into Connecticut. The residency must be actual domicile, not merely physical presence.
Complete Your Forms
Connecticut requires 5 mandatory forms to initiate a divorce. See the full forms list.
File with the Court
File your petition and pay the $350 filing fee. E-filing is available in some counties.
Serve Your Spouse
Accepted service methods: state marshal, constable, waiver of service, publication. Under Connecticut law, only State Marshals and constables are authorized to serve civil process. The marshal must complete service at least 12 days before the Return Date. The original summons, complaint, Notice of Automatic Court Orders, Return of Service, and filing fee must be received by the court clerk at least 6 days before the Return Date. Service costs typically run $50-$100.
Wait for Response & Finalize
Your spouse has 30 days to respond. After the 90-day waiting period, the court can issue your final decree.
Special Rules in Connecticut
Automatic Court Orders
Under the Notice of Automatic Court Orders (JD-FM-158), automatic restraining orders take effect upon service of process. These prevent both parties from selling or transferring property, incurring unreasonable debts, removing children from the state, changing insurance beneficiaries or coverage, or destroying evidence.
Nonadversarial Divorce Option
Connecticut offers an expedited nonadversarial divorce process under which spouses who agree on all issues can file a joint petition (JD-FM-242) and receive a divorce in approximately 35 days without a court hearing. No formal service of process is required.
All Property Subject to Division
Connecticut is an 'all-property' equitable distribution state. Under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46b-81, the court may assign any property of either spouse — including premarital, inherited, and gifted property — regardless of title or how it was acquired.
Pathways Process
Connecticut uses a 'Pathways' case management system that assigns family cases to different tracks based on complexity. Cases may be assigned to a Resolution Plan Date where parties present their settlement progress to the court.
Parenting Education Mandatory for Parents
Under Connecticut law, both parents with minor children must attend a parenting education program within 60 days of the Return Date. Failure to attend can result in sanctions including fines or contempt.
Name Change in Dissolution
Under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46b-63, a spouse may request restoration of their birth name or a former name as part of the dissolution decree.
Mandatory Requirements
Parenting Course Required
Both parents with minor children must attend a court-approved Parenting Education Program within 60 days of the Return Date. Each parent pays approximately $125-$150 for the course unless the fee is waived by the court. Programs are approved by the Connecticut Judicial Branch and are offered by various providers statewide. Failure to attend may result in sanctions.
Financial Disclosure
Both parties must exchange financial disclosures within 30 days of filing.
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