| Divorce and Legal Separation |
Divorce is the layperson’s term for dissolution of marriage, meaning the termination of a couple’s marriage. Although a legally separated person is still married and therefore cannot marry someone else, a legal separation frees spouses from the rights or obligations to live together. We represent clients divorcing and legally separating, striving to do so in a respectful, private and creative way so you can move forward with your lives.
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| Property Division and Equitable Distribution |
Dividing the assets and allocating the debts divorcing or legally separating couples have accumulated before and after their marriage is one of the most important components of a dissolution of marriage or legal separation. We assist clients identify one or more different divisions and allocations that meet their needs and then help them achieve these.
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| Alimony |
Alimony is a payment or series of payments by one spouse to his or her former spouse enabling the receiving spouse to enjoy a better lifestyle than would be possible without the alimony. The topic of alimony is often one of the most divisive aspects of the divorce or legal separation process. We are sensitive to the emotions associated with paying or receiving alimony and strive to reach an alimony plan, when applicable, that meets our client’s needs.
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| Child Support |
Under our law in Connecticut, every parent is obligated to support their child to the extent they are able and the child needs support. Typically in a divorce or legal separation case, we work with clients to compute the Child Support Guidelines. Our work does not stop there however. We then empower clients to consider and implement other ways to provide financially for the best interests of their particular child.
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| Custody |
There is no area of our practice that is more important to or has longer lasting effects for our clients than custody. Whatever the relationship between parents, their children are almost always their priority. We are committed to advocating for our clients while fostering the ability of parents to successfully co-parent after the legal process has ended. We educate and empower our clients to further their child’s best interests in terms of a parenting plan, access schedule, decision making practices and future conflict resolution procedures.
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| Pre/Post-Nuptial Agreements |
Pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements are contracts between spouses or prospective spouses which determine the financial rights and obligations of each in the event of divorce and sometimes death. We work with our clients to negotiate a pre-nuptial or post-nuptial agreement that will be enforceable and meets your needs while preserving the relationship between spouses or soon to be spouses.
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| Post-Judgment |
Because life for divorced or separated persons and their children goes on after the initial divorce or legal action, significant changes in circumstances can occur that justify changing the original court order. For example, a child may develop special educational needs, a parent may remarry, become disabled or lose their health insurance benefits. We assist clients evaluate whether to modify the original court order and if so, to implement a beneficial modification.
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| Civil Union Dissolution |
When recognizing civil unions in 2005, the Connecticut legislature also provided a mechanism to terminate the union. The law, practices and procedures for dissolving the civil union are essentially the same as those for divorcing a married couple. Thus, we educate and empower our clients to make the best choices for themselves and their families in terms of property division, child support, alimony and child custody.
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| Cohabitation Agreements |
Except in terms of child support or custody, the law provides little protection or guidance to unmarried couples who live, purchase property or raise children together especially when the relationship terminates. Some couples therefore choose to plan how to address their financial rights and responsibilities while residing together and if they part through a private contract. We work with clients to evaluate whether such a private contract might be beneficial and if so to implement it.
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