About Connecticut Divorce Attorney Brownstein
Attorney Brownstein has the experience and compassion to guide his clients through the divorce process with the least possible amount of stress and turmoil. He understands that the family will continue to interact in any co-parenting situations, and he believes that most divorces can be resolved with little or no acrimony, thereby creating a dynamic that will work well for both parents and the children, well into the future.Even in the event that there are no children, an attorney is still advisable. Liquidation of marital assets must be done equitably and future financial considerations must be addressed at the time of divorce. An experienced divorce lawyer can guide you to a fair resolution.
We offer a free consultation to those who believe that they have exhausted all options, and that divorce is inevitable. Brownstein knows that having an experienced divorce attorney as a partner can help to ease the burden of the stress of the Connecticut divorce process. His experience spans over 20 years, and his compassion is well known. Jeffrey Brownstein is an attorney that truly puts his clients first.
The Best Divorce Lawyers In Ct
The Best Divorce Lawyers in CT
By Pamela Mahler
Connecticut divorce lawyers alternatively referred to as family attorneys are lawyers who protect the rights of their clients throughout the difficult process of divorce proceedings. Beyond the legal dissolution of marriage, a lawyer for divorce helps families navigate splitting shared assets, family businesses, alimony, and when children are involved, custody, child support, and more.
Choosing the right divorce lawyer in CT ensures your divorce is carried out fairly and with your best interests in mind while adhering to state law.
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What Is A Motion To Modify
A Motion to Modify seeks to change or revise a single provision or several provisions of a Divorce Decree, such as the amount set for child support or alimony.
When a divorce is finalized in Connecticut it is called a Divorce Decree. That Divorce Decree is a formal court order it is “final”–unless and until the court rules in favor of a petition of modification and enters a new order.
Note that there are thresholds/requirements/guidelines relating to Motions to Modify that are important to highlight:
- Custody, visitation and child support are always modifiable. That said, a substantial change in circumstances must be demonstrated for the related motion to be considered
- Specifically, with respect to custody/visitation, a judge will only consider a modification request if at least 2 years have passed since the last order was entered or significantly modified. A judge is generally more “open” to modifying a custody order when the child or children are at least 2 years old.
- Property/Asset Division is non-modifiable
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Does Cheating And/or Infidelity Impact My Connecticut Divorce
One of the most common questions asked by men and women who are contemplating a divorce is how will my spouses cheating on me impact the case.
The short answer is that generally and in a vast majority of cases it does not. Although Divorce Complaints can, in fact, be filed in Connecticut on Fault-based or No-Fault grounds. Most divorces are filed on No-Fault grounds – where neither spouse is blaming the other for the dissolution. Generally speaking, this simplifies the process and minimizes potential emotional conflicts. Further, plaintiff -spouses do not have to prove that the other spouse’s misconduct was what caused the relationship to fail in their divorce action.
It is important to note that a petition filed on “No fault” grounds does NOT necessarily preclude a Family Court from factoring into their decisions that one spouse is the reason why the marriage broken down.
Specifically, Connecticut divorce statutes explicitly permit a judge to factor the causes of the divorce into their decisions when dividing marital property and/or awarding alimony and 46b-82 .) Conversely, it does not mean that Family Judges will indeed factor the causes a marriage breaks down into their decisions, just that they have the discretion to do so.
Instead, Connecticut Courts look to focus and make a determination on the equities involved. They consider who contributed what to the family. They also consider how the result should get divided without considering punishment as a factor.
How Do I Choose A Divorce Attorney In Connecticut
When you are going through a divorce, you don’t want just anyone helping you. The best option for you is to hire a local attorney, as these professionals will be intimately familiar with your area’s laws and regulations.
If possible, get recommendations from friends and family who may have used a Connecticut divorce lawyer before. This way you have knowledge regarding how they work and if they did a good job for your friend or family member.
Find out what former clients have to say by reading online reviews. You’ll want to keep an eye out for patterns, however, since anyone can get a bad review occasionally. It’s also important to look at reviews on independent signs, such as Google, avvo, or even Facebook. Most lawyers handpick the reviews that show up on their website, so it’s unlikely that you will find anything negative. To get the full picture, look at reviews in as many places as possible.
You can take advantage of the free initial consultations many family lawyers offer to see if they are right for you and your case. You should ask any potential lawyer if they have experience with divorce law, particularly if they’ve ever handled a case similar to yours. When choosing a lawyer, don’t be afraid to ask questions.
When you talk to potential defense or divorce attorneys, pay attention to your gut. You’re likely to enjoy working with them if they seem knowledgeable, confident, and comfortable.
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Do I Have To Appear In Court To Get A Connecticut Divorce
No, you do not have to appear in Connecticut Court to get a Uncontested Divorce.
The State of Connecticut Judicial Branch recently announced that uncontested divorces will be permitted remotely, without the requirement of physical presence in court. This is significant given the current status of court closures because it means that if you have reached agreement with your spouse.
Until recently, physically appearing in family court before a judge was required to finalize a divorce and obtain a court ordered Divorce Decree.
As a result of government office shutdowns and disruptions due to COVID-19, the State of Connecticut Judicial Branch revised is procedure to allow “Final Judgments” and “Orders” as to Separation Agreements and other agreements related to Divorce and Family Law cases without requiring the parties to appear in Court.
Accordingly, the following type of actions can be accepted and heard “on the papers”:
- Divorce or Legal Separation — including Uncontested Divorces filed online for filing an Online, Uncontested Divorce?)
- Custody / Visitation Agreements
- Motion / Groups of Motions
What Are My Rights As A Father In Ct
There are many rights a father can have in the state of Connecticut. In regards to child custody and/or visitation, a father has the legal right to seek full custody if it serves as the best interests of the child. As more traditional cases have awarded mothers with primary custody, modernization of the court’s values has allowed fathers to win primary as well.
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Is Connecticut A Mother State
No, fathers and mothers have equal rights to their children in CT. This is a common misconception that many people have. Men have the same rights as women in a divorce. Children need their fathers just as much as their mothers and countless studies agree! Children need a strong father relationship and the divorce attorneys at Goldblatt, Marquette & Rashba, PC do everything possible to fight for your right to custody of your child.
Learn About The Divorce Process By Consulting Needle
When choosing a lawyer, there is no substitute for experience. At Needle | Cuda, the range and depth of our long-standing family law practice enables us to adapt and shift tactics whenever circumstances require, so you can trust our advocacy even if your divorce takes an unexpected turn. We are also proud of our reputation for providing compassionate client service and highly professional representation.
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Find A Connecticut Divorce & Family Law Attorney Aligned With Your Needs
In Connecticut, when youre hiring a firm for your divorce, consider a family law attorney that offers all three approaches to divorce: mediated, litigated, and collaborative divorce. Find a Connecticut Family Law Firm that dedicates their entire practice to family law, so that you can be sure youre speaking to a professional with the skill set, case knowledge, and know-how to help you navigate this next chapter in your life.
Remember, contacting an attorney does not mean youre hiring one. Nobody will be notified. Nobody will be served. You can call, talk, ask, interview them, move forward , create a plan, and gain the confidence you need.
What Is The Difference Between Marital Property Separate Property And Property Acquired During The Marriage In A Connecticut Divorce
– Marital Property is a term that refers to any property acquired during the marriage — except an inheritance or gift
– Separate Property is a term that refers to any property that belongs to one spouse. Examples include: gifts and inheritances Assets owned by one spouse prior to the marriage. To preserve consideration/treatment as Separate Property in Connecticut Family Court, it is important the such property does not become “mixed” or “commingled” after receipt. If proper administrative and legal attention is not given to such property, claims to that property’s designation as “Separate Property” can diminish in strength, effect and/or be completely negated.
Assets Acquired before Marriage – This term refers to any and all assets that were owned by a spouse prior to the marriage and so is a sub-categorization of Separate Property. If administrative care and legal attention is not given to the organization, ownership, management, and tax treatment of such property, claims to that property can diminish in strength and effect and/or be completely negated.
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Your First Meeting With Us
At your initial consultation, we try to get a clear idea of your current situation and your goals for the future. We may ask you to bring certain documents, such as tax returns, account records and evidence of your household income. By taking the time to thoroughly understand your situation your reasons for ending your marriage, your financial and parental concerns and your objectives for life after your marriage ends we can answer your questions and present your options in a way that provides you with a comprehensive picture of the divorce process and its potential complications and outcomes.
Your Spouse Is Limiting Your Contact With Your Children
If your divorce is final, your spouse may use manipulative tactics to limit your contact with your children. They might deny you visitation or cancel your visits at the last minute.
In this case, engaging with your ex could do more harm than good. A lawyer will be able to help you negotiate the situation in court. Once a decision is made in court, your ex will have to abide by that. If they don’t, the judge can impose harsh consequences until they comply.
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How To File For Divorce
- To file for divorce, you will usually need to have resided in your state and county for at least 6 months to 1 year. It does not matter where the marriage took place.
- Next, you’ll need to obtain all the required divorce forms, found on your state’s website or the applicable court’s office of the clerk.
- Once the forms have been filed and summons served on your spouse, your spouse will have some time to respond to the petition .
- Procedures will vary by state and it is recommended you speak with a divorce lawyer to understand the requirements in the area you live.
Am I A Good Candidate For Mediation
Freed Marcrofts attorneys handle divorces via all three approaches: mediation, litigation, and collaborative law. Your Freed Marcroft legal team will help you understand the pros and cons of all three so that you can choose the approach thats the right fit for you and your family. For example, spouses willingness to communicate, move forward, and openly share financial information are critical components of mediation.
Freed Marcrofts legal team has extensive experience in all divorce options because what is most important to us is designing a divorce individualized to you, your goals, and your family. We call our initial consultation the Goals & Planning Conference, because its all about your future. That way, your divorce attorney is set up to design a legal strategy to get you on to living the life that you want to live.
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Rely On Our Experienced Family Law Attorneys To Defend Your Rights During Your Divorce
Call Collins Hannafin, P.C. at to speak with one of our attorneys and learn more about your divorce options or make an appointment. We also provide an online contact form here, and serve clients in Danbury, Ridgefield, New Milford, Bethel, Newtown, New Fairfield, and Sherman.
Our family law attorneys include Eva M. DeFranco, Laura A. Goldstein and Robert M. Opotzner.
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News & Events
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May 2022- Attorney Eva M. DeFranco has recorded two Podcasts on the topic of collaborative divorce for the State of Connecticut Judicial Branchs official podcast, Calendar Call, to listen.
Best Divorce Lawyers In Hartford Ct
Expert recommended Top 3 Divorce Lawyers in Hartford, Connecticut. All of our divorce lawyers actually face a rigorous 50-Point Inspection, which includes customer reviews, history, complaints, ratings, satisfaction, trust, cost and general excellence. You deserve only the best!
Since 1996
Heres The Deal:Serves in Hartford, New Canaan, New Haven, Stamford, Greenwich & Shelton, CT . He limits his practice to divorce and family law while occasionally accepting federal criminal defense matters and/or prospective claims under the Federal Tort Claim Act. He is involved in strategically planning for nearly all cases in his firm and routinely represents clients in Fairfield and Hartford counties.
SPECIALTY:MCCONNELL FAMILY LAW GROUP – Divorce, Alimony, Child Custody, Property Division Mediation, Collaborative, High Net Worth, Military Divorce & Prenuptial Agreement
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When To Hire Divorce Attorneys In Connecticut
You may wonder if you need to hire legal counsel when you’re facing the end of your marriage. This decision depends on a number of things, including on your financial situation and whether your divorce is contested or uncontested. You may need a mediator if you are fighting with your spouse over important issues during your divorce.
Who Is A Divorce Lawyer
Lawyers must be attentive listeners because what they do greatly affects their clients’ lives. To protect their clients’ interests, divorce lawyers must remain non-judgmental. Relationships are the basis of their profession, so their interpersonal skills must be strong. They should have strong advocacy, mediation, and alternative dispute resolution skills.
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How Are Assets And Marital Property Split In A Connecticut Divorce
In a Connecticut Divorce, all property is subject to division between the parties based on a concept called Equitable Distribution.
This means that BOTH premarital property AND all property/assets acquired and/or accumulated during the marriage is subject to division between the parties by the court in a fair and equitable way. This not mean that division of any specific property/asset will be equal or that the split should be 50/50.
Appreciation of all property/assets also factors and falls subject to equitable distribution.
Even if a property was owned by one spouse prior to marriage, the other spouses involvement in its management or preservation can influence how the asset is treated by a judge. Take, for example, a business solely owned by the husband prior to marriage. If the wife had expertise in marketing that she applied in helping the business grow, but she took no salary for her work, her labor may strengthen her claim to a share in the value of the business.
It is important to note that Connecticut Family Law Judges have very broad discretion in determining how assets/property are ultimately divided in a Connecticut Divorce.
Experienced divorce and family law attorneys like Needle | Cuda can help you navigate these complex issues. Whether you are trying to protect “separate property” through a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement or asserting a claim for “equitable distribution” in your divorce, it is always advisable to consult an attorney.
How Quickly Can I Get A Divorce In Connecticut
Ordinarily, couples must endure a 90-day waiting period to divorce in Connecticut. However, there are ways around this waiting period, and depending on your circumstances the court may waive the 90-day waiting period. The soonest you and your spouse can be divorced in Connecticut is approximately 35 days from filing.
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How Are Marital Assets Divided
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The division of marital property after a divorce will generally depend on whether or not you live in a community property state. The best way to determine whether your state is a community property state is to talk to a local attorney who can tell you what the law is and who can help you understand how that affects your situation.
Community property states consider nearly all property obtained after the marriage as equally owned by both spouses. As a result, the property will generally be equally split after the divorce. Absent community property statutes, it’s typically up to the court to divide marital property between both parties. In either case, courts will normally accept a property division agreement if the spouses can create their own.