Divorce in Connecticut
State-specific overview · Family Law
Connecticut allows no-fault divorce based on irretrievable breakdown with no mandatory waiting period.
How Connecticut treats Divorce
Connecticut permits divorce on the ground of irretrievable breakdown of the marriage without requiring a separation period or waiting period. Either spouse can file unilaterally, and the court will grant the divorce if it finds the marriage is irretrievably broken. Connecticut also recognizes fault-based grounds including adultery, abandonment, and cruelty. The state follows equitable distribution for marital property rather than community property division.
The general definition of Divorce
The legal dissolution of a marriage, ending the spouses' rights and responsibilities to each other.
Divorce is the legal process by which a married couple ends their marriage. It involves a court officially terminating the marriage and typically requires decisions about property division, spousal support, child custody, and child support. The process can be contested, where the spouses disagree on terms, or uncontested, where they agree on the major issues. Once a divorce is finalized, both parties are free to remarry and are no longer legally responsible for each other.
Read the full Divorce entry →This page is a plain-English reference and is not legal advice. State laws change frequently. For specific situations consult a licensed attorney in Connecticut.