In Connecticut divorces, deferred compensation plans can be complex and contentious. It is one thing to determine fair distribution of more straightforward qualified plans like pensions or 401(k)s. But it can be quite another to equitably resolve matters related to...
Property Division
Discovery misconduct in CT divorce may result in legal-fee liability
Due to the unique nature of the marital relationship, Connecticut law places an absolute legal duty on a divorcing spouse to share all information with the other litigant in divorce proceedings about assets, property and income. A litigant who breaches that duty may...
Can an asset be both an alimony source and part of property division?
“Double-dipping” or “double-counting” is an American principle in divorce proceedings that the same marital asset should not be both subject to the equitable distribution of property and utilized as an income generator to pay alimony. Put another way, the “general...
What happens to inheritance and gifts in Connecticut divorce?
The answer is that it depends. Broadly, if one spouse has already received a gift or inheritance, it would be property in that person’s estate subject to potential distribution in the divorce. If a married person is named in a will as a beneficiary or someone has told...
Connecticut: An all-property, equitable-distribution state
Many people approaching divorce are understandably concerned about how they will divide their wealth with their soon-to-be ex-spouses. Some do not want to split up family businesses, while others cannot imagine being without heirlooms, collections or memory-filled...
How Connecticut judges approach carried interests in divorce
Carried-interest payments can be a lucrative source of wealth for a Connecticut family. As such, in divorce proceedings in which one or both spouses have been successful in meeting professional goals that triggered significant carried-interest payouts, both litigants...
Spouse’s financial disclosures seem off? Consider a forensic accounting
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...
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...
Connecticut divorce: Vintage vehicles and the marital estate
Everyone has heard about Jay Leno’s amazing, extensive classic-car collection. But Connecticut has its own prominent heritage-car collectors, including Wayne Carini and Herb Chambers. Private parties in our state also amass impressive collections of vintage or luxury...