What Types of Divorce Are There in Connecticut?

You or your spouse is considering divorce, and you’re wondering: “What types of divorce are there in Connecticut?  What are my options?” Read on to learn about the types of divorce available in Connecticut: mediation, collaborative divorce, and litigation.

CT Divorce Types

There are three basic divorce options available in Connecticut. They are mediation, collaborative divorce, and litigation. Our divorce attorneys like to divide litigation into two types, low- and high-conflict litigation because our clients’ experience is very different depending on the tone their litigation takes.

Freed Marcroft’s divorce attorneys practice in all of the divorce types because we’ve learned that some options will work better for you depending on your goals.

Connecticut Divorce Type 1: Mediation

As with litigation and collaborative divorce, mediating spouses can settle their entire divorce or family law matter via mediation. That includes property division, alimony, child support, child custody, and parenting. Mediation can be a particularly effective tool for the complex issues in high-net worth and international divorce and custody, and the nuances involved when dissolving same-sex marriages. Mediation is also a helpful option for resolving any Post Judgment problems or changes after divorce.

Both parties typically enter into mediation with specific goals. Once people understand their priorities, they can negotiate to get what they want while also giving the other party what he or she wants. The mediator will act as a guide during the entire process, going issue by issue while helping both sides reach an agreement.

Connecticut Divorce Type 2: Collaborative Divorce

Collaborative divorce is a non-adversarial and private process that focuses on reaching a creative divorce settlement that’s fair and meets the needs of both spouses and their family. At Freed Marcroft, team members are both experienced divorce attorneys and trained collaborative lawyers. Like mediation, collaborative practice is a voluntary litigation alternative. One major difference is that in a collaborative divorce, each spouse is fully represented throughout the negotiation by his or her own lawyer.

Connecticut Divorce Type 3: Divorce Litigation

Litigated divorce remains the most common CT divorce type, although it is important to remember that “litigation” is not necessarily synonymous with “bitter courtroom battle.” You can be in complete agreement in most areas, but if you cannot come to terms on an important factor, such as the amount of alimony or all the details of the parenting plan, the court is there to make a decision.

How Do You Pick the Right CT Divorce Type for You?

Once your divorce or child custody attorney knows about what matters most to you, she can begin the process of figuring out which of the three divorce and family law methods — litigation, collaborative divorce, and mediation –might be the right for you. After your goals, the two spouses’ ability to communicate effectively (effectively — not perfectly) is a key piece of advising clients on the right divorce approach.

While we’re on this topic — make sure your family law firm has divorce attorneys experienced in all three approaches so you have the maximum options. The decision of how you work through the divorce will impact you and your family for years to come. For example, you don’t want to wind-up in a litigated divorce just because the lawyer you met with only litigates rather than because it’s best for your family. You also don’t want to wind up in a failed mediation just because you met with an attorney who only mediates.

Next Steps

For more information about Connecticut divorce and family law, check out our Divorce Information and Facts. If you have questions or want to learn more about how our team of divorce attorneys can help you with your custody or Post Judgment issue, please contact us here.