Divorce can be an empowering, transformative experience – but that doesn’t mean you won’t have questions about how it works. Whether you’re filing for divorce or responding to your spouse’s filing, you deserve a strong advocate. The divorce attorneys at Freed Marcroft will support you through every step of divorcing in West Hartford.
When Does a Connecticut Divorce Go to Court?
A couple who agrees on a settlement may never set foot in the courtroom, instead reaching an agreement via negotiation through their lawyers, mediation, or collaborative divorce. On the other hand, a couple engaged in a high-conflict divorce could be in court multiple times.
Divorce Litigation vs. Mediation
In many states, the divorce courts automatically order mediation as a part of all litigated divorces. There, mediation is essentially one stage in traditional divorce litigation. In West Hartford, mediation comes up in two contexts during divorce. In the first, and most common, couples typically work with a mediator from beginning to end, rather than as an intermediary step in litigation. Many find mediation more private, affordable, and less stressful than a litigated divorce. The second type of divorce mediation in West Hartford happens when the spouses in a litigated divorce hire a private divorce mediator for a day or two to help them settle and avoid a trial. In the second instance, retired judges will commonly serve as the mediator.
Connecticut divorce courts don’t typically order mediation. Instead, the spouses choose it for either the whole proceeding or their attorneys recommend it to solve outstanding issues and avoid a full trial.
Divorces Involving Children
For parents needing help with child support and custody determinations, the divorce court might appoint a guardian ad litem (GAL) or bring in the Office of Family Services. In lower-conflict divorces, we may ask a mental health professional to help craft a parenting plan that works best for your family.
Just because a couple has children doesn’t mean their divorce will take longer. A couple’s ability to reach an agreement is the greatest factor in how long a divorce takes. That doesn’t mean you must negotiate the agreement alone, however. Family attorneys communicate on your behalf, with you and your spouse making the final decisions.
Expediting a Divorce Order
When spouses agree fully on all issues, we can ask the divorce court to waive the 90-day statutory waiting period and ask the judge to review and approve the agreement without waiting for an in-person hearing.
A couple agreeing on all terms should have their lawyers draft their settlement agreement. You should hire a lawyer who will respect the spirit of the deals you’ve already made and not drag out the divorce. That said, you also want an experienced lawyer who can identify aspects you didn’t consider. Sometimes a seasoned attorney will point out significant repercussions you were unaware of. It’s much harder to fix something after a divorce becomes final than to get it right the first time.
Talk to Our Attorneys About How To Get Divorced in West Hartford
Involve a lawyer when you’re first considering a divorce so you have a plan ready. Freed Marcroft can explain how to get divorced in West Hartford, providing the insight and advice you need to make the best decisions for yourself and your family.
