Uncontested Divorce in Connecticut

In Connecticut, the divorcing partner who files the action is referred as the Plaintiff and the other partner is called as the Defendant. Divorce proceedings are executed in the Connecticut Superior Court. Every district in this state has minimum 1 Superior Court.

Residency requirements for Uncontested Divorce in Connecticut

In order to obtain a divorce in this state, the following residency requirements must be fulfilled.

• Either divorcing partner must be residing in the state for minimum 12 months prior to the start of the action, or
• Either divorcing partner must be residing in the state for minimum 12 months before the divorce judgment is entered as final, or
• Either divorcing partner should have been domiciled in this state and before filing the complaint, must have returned in the state with an aim of permanently residing in it, or
• The reason for the divorce action should have occurred only after either divorcing partner shifted to live in this state.

If the dissolution procedure includes the issue of support, then the case must be filed in the county in which the Plaintiff lives. In all other remaining cases, the case can be filed in the county which both divorcing partners find to be convenient.

Grounds of Uncontested Divorce in Connecticut

Fault Grounds

• Conviction or commission of a notorious crime that comprises of violation of conjugal duty and imprisonment for 1 year.
• Habitual drunkenness.
• Fraud.
• Inhuman and cruel treatment.
• 7 year absence.
• Intentional desertion and nonsupport for 1 year.
• Confinement due to incurable insanity for a gross span of 5 years.
• Life imprisonment.
• Adultery.

No-fault grounds

• An incompatible relation and voluntary separation for a period of 18 months along with no reasonable possibility of reconciliation.
• Irretrievable breakdown of the marriage.

Mode of Serving the Defendant

In this state, the Complaint and the Summons are served to the Defendant in 1 of the following 3 ways.

• Personal Service: This takes place when the High Sheriff serves the divorce papers in the county where the divorcing partner lives. Further, the Sheriff returns the Return of Service. This is filed in the Court as evidence that the Defendant was property served.

• Service by Certified or Registered Mail: This method is followed when the Defendant resides outside of Connecticut. In order to observe this method, initially the Court must permit the Plaintiff. For this to happen, the Plaintiff files a Motion for First Order of Notice and Order of Notice. If the Plaintiff receives the order of the Court, then the Plaintiff can file the Summons and Complaint in the county of his or her residence, with the Sheriff. Then, the Sheriff mails the essential documents to the Defendant.

• Service by Publication: If the Defendant cannot be located and there is less possibility to locate him or her in the future, then this method is executed. A Motion for First Order of Notice and Order of Notice is essential. Once the Plaintiff gets the orders from the Court, the documents are published in a newspaper for 2 consecutive weeks, once in a week. The newspaper of the region which includes the last known address of the Defendant or where there is more likelihood that the Defendant is residing is chosen.

Divorce Papers