When divorcing in Connecticut, the ‘how’ and ‘when’ of filing a divorce complaint are dependent upon the method for obtaining the divorce. Whether through mediation, collaborative divorce or litigation, each process requires that a divorce complaint be filed with the court.

The type of divorce process and desired filing date which best suit a client’s situation is determined in the initial meeting. In mediation, the process may be delayed until the client’s spouse can join and contribute to the conversation. Some clients choose to start negotiations first and decide at a subsequent meeting when to file the complaint. Some wish to begin the process immediately.

In Connecticut, all divorce filings experience a “statutory stay” – a 90-day waiting period until a divorce can become finalized. The statutory stay begins not from the date the complaint is signed, but from the “return date.” Continue reading →