Navigating Divorce in New Haven County, CT: A Comprehensive Guide
When it comes to divorce in New Haven County, CT, it’s essential to find resources to have a comprehensive guide to help you understand the legal process. That’s where this guide comes in. As a highly experienced New Haven County divorce lawyers, Freed Marcroft’s attorneys created this guide to provide you with all the information you need to navigate divorce in New Haven County. From understanding the legal requirements to managing your emotions, we’ll cover everything you need to know to make confident decisions. Whether you’re just starting to consider divorce or you’re already deep in it, this guide will provide you with the knowledge and resources you need to move forward with confidence. So, let’s explore divorce in New Haven County, CT.
Read: Understanding the Divorce Process: A Beginner’s Guide to a Smooth Transition
Understanding the Divorce Process in New Haven County, CT
Divorce is a legal process that dissolves a marriage. Most often, the New Haven County, CT divorce process starts with one spouse serving the other with a divorce complaint. This isn’t always the case, though. For example, lawyers often don’t file a collaborative divorce or divorce mediation with the court until the very end, after the spouses have reached a full agreement.
If the couple reaches an agreement on the terms of the divorce, it’s an uncontested divorce. If not, the case eventually proceeds to a divorce trial court, where a judge makes the final decisions regarding property division, alimony, custody, and child support.
New Haven County Family Courts
New Haven County, CT, has four divorce courts — more than any other county in Connecticut.
They are:
- New Haven Judicial District, located at 235 Church Street, New Haven, CT
- Ansonia-Milford Judicial District, located at 14 West River Street, Milford, CT
- Meriden Judicial District, located at 54 West Main Street, Meriden, CT
- Waterbury Judicial District, 300 Grand Street, Waterbury, CT
All courts are open from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. You can file your New Haven County divorce in the courthouse for the town or city where either you or your spouse resides. In some cases, you will have a choice of more than one court. Freed Marcroft’s team of divorce attorneys practice in all the New Haven County courthouses and can give you the pros and cons to consider with each.
New Haven Judicial District Family Court
People living in Branford, Cheshire, East Haven, Guilford, Hamden, Madison, Meriden, New Haven, North Branford, North Haven, and Wallingford can elect to file at either the New Haven or Meriden courthouses.
Residents of Bethany, Milford, West Haven, or Woodbridge may file at either the New Haven or Ansonia-Milford courthouse.
For more information: New Haven Family Court
Ansonia-Milford Judicial District Family Court
New Haven County divorce attorneys commonly refer to the Ansonia-Milford Family Court just as the Milford Family Court.
Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Derby, Orange, Oxford, Seymour, and Shelton file divorces at the Milford Family Court.
As we shared above, people who reside in Bethany, Milford, West Haven, or Woodbridge have the option to file at either the Milford or New Haven courthouse.
Southbury is a little different. Southbury divorces can be filed at either Ansonia-Milford or the Waterbury Family Court.
More information: Milford Family Court
Meriden Judicial District Family Court
Branford, Cheshire, East Haven, Guilford, Hamden, Madison, Meriden, New Haven, North Branford, North Haven, and Wallingford may file their divorces in either Meriden or New Haven.
More information: Meriden Family Court
Waterbury Judicial District Family Court
Middlebury, Naugatuck, Prospect, Waterbury, and Wolcott file divorces in the Waterbury Family Court.
Watertown and Woodbury can file at either the Waterbury courthouse or at the Litchfield Family Court located in Torrington. Southbury may use either the Waterbury or Milford courts.
Finally, residents of Plymouth may select between Waterbury and New Britain.
More information: Waterbury Family Court
Hiring a Divorce Attorney in New Haven County, CT
Hiring a divorce attorney in New Haven County, CT, is one of the most important decisions you’ll make during the divorce process. Your attorney will be responsible for representing your interests throughout the proceedings, so it’s essential to choose someone you trust and feel comfortable working with.
Ask any law firm you’re considering working with about their experience with family law, and their approach to handling divorce cases.
At Freed Marcroft, first, we invest in learning everything we can about you and your goals for your life, so we can design a legal strategy to get you there.
Read: When Should You Hire a Divorce Attorney?
Freed Marcroft Divorce and Family Law New Haven County Office
Freed Marcroft has a New Haven Family Law office located in Cheshire, Connecticut. We also offer convenient virtual appointments.
Freed Marcroft New Haven County Office
325 Highland Avenue Suite 202
Cheshire, CT 06410
Divorce Mediation & Collaborative Divorce in New Haven County, CT
Mediation and collaborative divorce are Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) approaches to Connecticut divorce.
Divorce mediation is a process in which a neutral third party facilitates negotiations between the divorcing spouses. The mediator helps the couple find common ground on the issues that need to be decided in a divorce. Mediation is a useful tool for resolving disputes and reaching agreements.
Collaborative divorce is an approach where you hire a specially trained collaborative divorce attorney to be by your side during the collaborative process. Other professionals are involved in a collaborative, including divorce and financial coaches.
If you’re considering mediation, it’s essential to choose a New Haven family law firm whose attorneys are experienced in divorce mediation and collaborative law, and who have a good reputation in the community. For example, Freed Marcroft’s Lisa Cappalli is one of the founders of the mediation and collaborative divorce movement in New Haven County.
In both mediation and collaborative divorce, you and your spouse don’t have to get along perfectly to have a successful outcome. You can — and will — have disagreements along the way. You both need to be willing to be open and honest, and commit to working together to find compromises.
Importantly, the parties regain more control over outcomes in both mediation and collaborative divorce than they do in a high-conflict contested litigation where the judge decides.
Read: What Is Mediation in Divorce?
Read: What Is a Collaborative Divorce?
Key Issues in a New Haven County Divorce
Property Division in New Haven County, CT
Property division is another significant issue in divorce cases. In Connecticut, property is divided according to the principle of equitable distribution. This means that property is divided fairly, but not necessarily equally.
The court considers a variety of factors when dividing property, including the length of the marriage, each spouse’s contribution to the marriage, and each spouse’s earning capacity.
It’s essential to work with an experienced attorney who can help you understand your rights and ensure that your assets are divided fairly.
Download: The Comprehensive Connecticut Property Division Guide
Alimony in New Haven County, CT
Alimony, also known as spousal support, is a payment made from one spouse to the other. In Connecticut, there isn’t alimony in every case. When there is alimony, the amount and length of the alimony vary greatly depending on factors such as the length of the marriage and each spouse’s employability.
There are several types of alimony in Connecticut, including temporary alimony, rehabilitative alimony, and lifetime (or permanent) alimony. Work with an experienced New Haven County divorce attorney to make sure you have the lay of the land and understand your options.
Download: The Comprehensive Connecticut Alimony Guide
Child Custody and Support
If you have children, custody and child support are among the most important issues to work through in your divorce case. New Haven County judges consider your children’s best interests when making decisions on these topics.
In most Connecticut divorces, parents share physical and legal custody. An experienced New Haven County family lawyer can explain when courts consider sole custody more appropriate.
Connecticut determines child based largely upon the income of both parents.
Navigating the Emotional Aspects of Divorce in New Haven County, CT
Divorce can be an emotionally challenging experience. It’s essential to take care of yourself and seek support during this time. You want to get yourself in a position to make good choices during your divorce to set yourself up for a happy, fulfilling future.
Consider working with a therapist or counselor who can help you manage your emotions and develop coping strategies. You may also want to join a support group for people going through divorce.
Remember that it’s not only okay but essential to take time for yourself and prioritize your mental and emotional well-being.
Read: Personal Growth & Divorce
Read: Deciding Whether to Divorce: Understanding and Managing Your Emotions
New Haven County Divorce Statistics
According to the Census Reporter, in 2021, 9% of men and 14% of women living in New Haven County were divorced. This was a little higher than the average across Connecticut.
It’s important to note that divorce statistics can vary from year to year and may not necessarily be indicative of the overall divorce rate in New Haven County.
Resources for Divorcees in New Haven County, CT
There are many resources available for people going through divorce in New Haven County, CT.
Conclusion
No one said divorce is easy, but with the right resources and support, you can navigate the legal and emotional aspects of divorce with confidence and calm. Remember to take care of yourself and seek the help you need to make a smooth transition into the next phase of your life.
