Divorce
HELPING YOU THROUGH THE DIFFICULT TIMES
Divorce Attorney in Westport
Your Divorce Journey in Westport
Divorce is often a time of indecision, uncertainty, stress, and confusion. The process requires critical decisions about some of the most important areas of your life, including your children, finances, family home, investments, and pets. Often, negotiations occur while emotions are high, and you may have little understanding of Connecticut divorce laws and how they will impact your situation.
In such challenging times, having dependable legal guidance is invaluable. Our firm focuses not only on legalities but also on supporting our clients emotionally to ensure they feel confident and informed at every step. We take the time to understand each case's unique dynamics, ensuring tailored strategies that cater to the personal needs and priorities of every client.
Contact our trusted divorce lawyer in Westport at (203) 428-4476 to schedule a confidential consultation.
Why Hire Our Westport Divorce Lawyers
The importance of having a trusted legal advisor throughout this process cannot be overstated, especially when dealing with child custody, high net worth, or complex property issues. However, everyone going through a divorce should have the information needed to make sound decisions that could have consequences well into the future.
Rutkin Oldham Contratto LLC has been a stable and leading legal resource in the practice of divorce and family law for clients throughout Connecticut since 1982. Our attorneys are renowned for strategic thinking, extensive experience, and a dedicated team approach.
Our legal team understands that each divorce is unique and may require diverse approaches, including negotiation, mediation, or litigation. We meticulously prepare for each scenario, ensuring our clients are positioned to achieve favorable outcomes. By choosing our firm, clients benefit from an approach that blends deep legal insight with a genuine commitment to their best interests.
Thinking about divorce or facing current difficult divorce issues? Contact Rutkin Oldham Contratto LLC online or by calling (203) 428-4476 to book a consultation.
Divorce in Connecticut
Divorce in Connecticut is initiated when the individual seeking the divorce (the plaintiff) files the “complaint” with the court. This document requests that the marriage be dissolved and provides the court with details such as the grounds for divorce and whether children are involved.
Residency requirements for a Connecticut divorce stipulate that at least one spouse has lived in the state for the previous 12 months or will have lived in the state for the 12 months preceding the entry of a judgment of divorce.
Does It Matter Who Files for Divorce First in Connecticut?
No, it does not matter who files for divorce in Connecticut, but the spouse who eventually files must pay the court filing fee and the marshal’s fee for service of the divorce paperwork on the other spouse.
Although who files first does not affect the outcome, it may impact the timeline of the proceedings. Additionally, the initial filer may have more time to gather necessary documents and prepare emotionally for the process ahead. However, it is essential to consult with a divorce lawyer in Westport to understand the strategic considerations specific to your situation.
How to Get a Divorce in Connecticut
To get a divorce in Connecticut, specific legal procedures must be followed. Here's a general guide on how to initiate and navigate the divorce process in the state:
Frequently Asked Questions
Uncontested Divorce in Connecticut
An uncontested divorce requires that you and your spouse reach an agreement on all factors related to the dissolution of your marriage. Therefore, you should understand these issues in terms of how Connecticut divorce law relates to your situation and how courts view them. This is why it is vital to seek the counsel of a divorce attorney in Westport who has practiced in your area.
These factors include:
- Child custody and visitation/parenting plans
- Child support
- Equitable division and distribution of property and debt
- Alimony/spousal support
When you and your spouse can forge an agreement on your own concerning the issues pertinent to your case, that agreement can then be submitted to the court for approval. When you cannot, the court will decide. A judge will review all aspects of your financial situation, parenting ability, children's needs, what each spouse has contributed to the marriage, and more in deciding on the above issues.
Engaging in an uncontested divorce is often less stressful and can be more cost-effective. Our firm guides clients in preparing fully compliant agreements that ease court proceedings. We strive for equitable arrangements and grounded decisions, ensuring smoother transitions into the next chapters of our clients’ lives.
No-Fault vs Fault-Based Divorce in CT
Connecticut provides no-fault as well as fault-based grounds for divorce. Nearly all cases are resolved as no-fault cases. Occasionally, however, the facts of a case warrant asking the court to consider fault grounds for divorce. These grounds include adultery, willful desertion, fraud, alcoholism, extreme cruelty, conviction/incarceration for certain crimes, and mental illness leading to being held in a mental hospital.
Even when the grounds for obtaining a divorce are not at issue, the “cause of the breakdown” of the marriage is one of many factors the court must consider in resolving any disputes that the parties cannot resolve themselves. This is why you might hear discussions of the other spouse’s misdeeds and “faults.”
We provide guidance on how each type of divorce may influence aspects of your case, such as asset division or child custody. Understanding the full breadth of these implications is crucial, and our lawyers are dedicated to helping clients navigate these options effectively, always prioritizing the client’s specific needs and legal standing.
Proven & Trusted Divorce Representation in Westport
At our firm, we offer creative strategies and think long-term to put you in the best position possible. Our attorneys are experienced in representing clients in litigation, mediation, and arbitration. The firm is technologically proficient. Since the pandemic began, we have conducted one remote custody trial that lasted more than 10 weeks, as well as many shorter remote hearings, depositions, and conferences.
Additionally, we are deeply invested in the continuous professional development of our team, ensuring our methodologies remain at the forefront of legal innovation. We engage in regular training and seminars to guarantee an up-to-date comprehension of Connecticut and Westport-specific laws, providing our clients with insightful, reliable, and current legal solutions.
Consult our trusted divorce lawyer in Westport by contacting us online or at (203) 428-4476 today.
TRUST RUTKIN OLDHAM CONTRATTO LLC WITH YOUR CASE
Our Approach
We understand that no two family law cases are alike. While our clients may be going through similar processes, each case brings a different set of circumstances involving family dynamics, personal histories, financial matters, specific legal needs, emotional challenges, and more. What works for one client may not work for you. We approach each case by taking the time to thoroughly understand all of the details of your unique situation. Our strategies can then be thoughtfully tailored to serve your specific goals and purposes.
