In a Connecticut divorce, litigants must file with the court a sworn, comprehensive financial disclosure statement. One spouse may be surprised to see on the other declaring a lower account balance than presumed, failing to include expected assets, or claiming...
Property Division
A qualified, solid property valuation expert is crucial in CT divorce
Divorce litigants often disagree on many things, but the valuation of major assets in the marital estate is a common cause of conflict. Of course, a variety of factors contribute to the complexity of assigning fair values, including the complexity of an asset (like...
Active or passive asset appreciation in Connecticut divorce
Equitable distribution of property in a Connecticut divorce may become more complex when an asset has actively or passively appreciated in value. Related issues in Connecticut dissolution diverge from those in many other states because of the unique nature of property...
When is a trust a marital asset subject to division in divorce?
Is a trust a “mere expectancy” as it pertains to classification of potential property interests as marital or nonmarital? If an interest is sufficiently certain and concrete, it is marital property subject to equitable distribution between divorcing litigants. If the...
Accounting for copyright interests in Connecticut divorces
Norman Lear. Charles Edward Ives. Annie Leibovitz. Michael Bolton. Stephenie Meyer. Connecticut has no shortage of accomplished artists, writers, musicians, architects, playwrights, photographers, songwriters and other creatives. And when they produce artistic works,...
A deep dive into dissipation of marital assets
Sometimes when a marriage breaks down, one spouse may unreasonably dissipate, squander or misuse marital funds or other marital assets. The actions may result in difficulties, including litigation in the division of marital property in a divorce. Legal restraint on...
New judicial direction on when a potential asset is a mere expectancy
On Feb. 7, 2023, the Appellate Court of Connecticut released an opinion in D.S. v. D.S. that provides new guidance for judges, lawyers and spouses contemplating whether a divorce litigant’s prospective ownership interest in property is concrete enough to classify it...
Intangible contributions to a marriage may have value in Connecticut divorces
Dividing property in a Connecticut divorce requires more sophisticated analysis. The process involves far more than merely identifying and distributing assets to the litigants. The family court rules include provisions for mandatory disclosure of finances and assets...
Valuation and division of obscure collections in Connecticut divorce
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,...
Educational degrees and professional licenses in Connecticut divorce
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...