Some parents divorce or separate amicably and can negotiate child custody and visitation arrangements. But many marriages and relationships end in conflict, resentment or anger, making litigation more likely. Unfortunately, sometimes custody and visitation decisions...
Modern American child custody disputes regularly spill across state lines, creating logistical and legal complexity, and sometimes confusion. To create an orderly process for resolving these conflicts, Connecticut, along with all other states but Massachusetts, plus...
People can collect anything, and they often choose unique, rare or unusual objects on which to focus their time, energy and money. Nostalgia, obsession, investment, knowledge – the thrill of the hunt – whatever the reason for pursuit of a particular type of object,...
In a literal sense, of course a spouse’s advanced degree or professional license almost always enhances the wealth and lifestyle of their family. But how is that value fairly accounted for in divorce? The Connecticut Supreme Court has held that educational degrees are...
Perquisites, usually called perks, are benefits an employer gives to an executive or employee over and above salary or wages. Perks can be valuable and may significantly enhance the lifestyle of the executive and their family members. Perks may be classified as...
In Connecticut, parents frequently ask trial courts to modify child custody or visitation orders. There are many reasons for a parent to seek a change to a parenting plan and courts face an endless variety of family dynamics when making these decisions. On March 29,...
Recently, the Connecticut Supreme Court issued a ruling in Grabe v. Hokin that elaborates on unconscionability as a basis for finding a prenuptial agreement unenforceable between divorce litigants. Connecticut law gives judges the power to decline to enforce a...
We start with a simplified explanation of what happens to property and debt when someone files for divorce. First, imagine at the time of filing a snapshot of all assets and liabilities of the parties whether joint or personal to one of them. Second, Connecticut law...
Connecticut law does not provide an absolute right to alimony. Courts are not provided with a mathematical formula, or a “alimony calculator” to determine value should the trial judge determine that spousal maintenance is appropriate. Litigation involving disputes...
It can be a challenge to establish the value of real estate in a foreign country from a distant U.S. courtroom. Judges face this issue in contested divorces when one or both litigants own land, homes, other buildings or commercial real estate overseas. The court needs...
