In a recent post, we discussed the Connecticut court’s power to impute salary or wage income to a payor spouse in the crafting of an alimony award. This issue arises when the litigant who would pay alimony is unemployed, underemployed or overqualified for their job,...
Westport Family Law Blog
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...
Connecticut alimony: Earning capacity and imputed income
In divorce, a judge can order the spouse who earns more to pay spousal support to the other to enable them to continue the lifestyle of the marriage or to help meet their future needs. Or the litigants may negotiate a marital settlement agreement that includes...
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...
CT custody law provides a framework for dealing with parental alienation
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...
Interstate child custody disputes under UCCJEA: The child’s home state
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...
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...
Executive perks and divorce: Identification, analysis and valuation
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...
Under the microscope: Modification of Connecticut custody or visitation orders
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,...