Effective, Attentive, Aggressive Divorce Lawyer in New Haven, Middlesex, Hartford and Fairfield Counties

Practicing Family Law in Connecticut

As a divorce lawyer in New Haven, Middlesex, Hartford and Fairfield Counties, Attorney Bauer is an experienced advocate in all aspects of matrimonial and family law.  Being a divorce and custody lawyer in Connecticut can be challenging, but Attorney Bauer has found that helping families navigate through one of the most difficult times of their lives rewarding.

A divorce involves many considerations. Aside from the separation itself, parenting plans involving custody, visitation, property division, debt allocation and alimony must be taken into consideration as well.

Divorce: A Complex Process Made Simple

Although divorce can be a complex process, it doesn't have to be something that is confusing to clients and their families. It is Attorney Bauer’s job as a family and matrimonial lawyer to take the burden off of the client. Attorney Bauer takes the time to ensure that clients understand what is going on through the entire process so the client can make informed decisions about their case. Attorney Bauer focuses on the details so the client does not have to. Attorney Bauer takes the client’s thoughts, feelings and needs into consideration so at the end of an emotional process, the client is comfortable that they have had zealous advocacy and have reached the best outcome possible for their situation.

Whether you are dealing with a legal separation, marriage annulment, or divorce/dissolution, there are a number of legal considerations to be aware of when trying to reach a settlement agreement. These considerations include division of property, allocation of debts, alimony, child support, custody, and parenting plans.  It is important to remember that when an agreement is reached, it will never be a perfect agreement. All parties will need to make concessions to reach an agreement that everyone is comfortable with even if it does not include everything they wanted. A good agreement is one that is fair and reasonable -- not perfect!

Let a Family Lawyer Help You With Your Divorce

Anyone who has gone through a divorce will tell you that the prospect of having to deal with lawyers, courts, and complex laws is difficult, confusing and overwhelming. If you are a Connecticut resident facing a dissolution/divorce or other family related issue in New Haven, Middlesex, Fairfield and Hartford Counties, contact Attorney Bauer for a free consultation. Understanding the basics of Connecticut divorce law can be an important first step in putting your mind at ease.  

How Does Divorce Work in Connecticut?

Every state has it's own unique divorce laws when it comes to family and matrimonial law.  It's important to understand that there may be some significant differences varying from state to state as to how terms are defined and how legal matters are pursued. The following information is intended to be a basic overview of some important aspects of divorce, legal separation, and marriage annulment in Connecticut.  Please consult an experienced divorce/family lawyer who practices divorce and family law in Connecticut before taking any legal action.

What is Divorce in CT?

A dissolution, otherwise known as a divorce, is recognized by the government and often by religious institutions as a means to dissolve a marriage. Aside from divorce, there are other types of separation between parties such as legal separation and annulment. Whether a client is dealing with an annulment, legal separation or a divorce, finding experienced legal counsel is advised. Attorney Bauer can help you differentiate the differences between divorce, annulment, and legal separation to determine which is most appropriate for your situation.

Marriage Annulment In Connecticut: The Difference between Marriage Annulment and Divorce

Marriage annulment is different from divorce. In an annulment, a marriage is declared null and void, as if it had never taken place.  
In Connecticut, the grounds for annulment require that the marriage is void or voidable under Connecticut state law, meaning the marriage itself was never legal in the first place. Some grounds for annulment include a marriage performed without a valid marriage license, marriage between two parties where at least one party was already married, marriage performed by someone unauthorized to do so, or marriage by minors.  

Marriage annulment is a rare and complex practice in Connecticut and anyone who thinks that they may have grounds for annulment should seek legal counsel before proceeding.

Legal Separation In Connecticut: The Difference between Legal Separation and Divorce

Attorney Bauer is often asked what the difference between legal separation and divorce is. First let's get this out of the way: Divorce is not the same thing as a legal separation. When parties legally separate they remain married in the eyes of the law.
In Connecticut, legal separation and divorce share many similarities. That being said, there is one major difference that separates these two forms of separation in Connecticut family law.  A divorce results in a dissolution of marriage, while a legal separation does not. In a legal separation, the parties are still technically married and are not able to remarry.  Both divorce and legal separation in Connecticut result in division of property and debts as well as a parenting plan when children are involved.

If a legal separation does take place in Connecticut, the parties will have the option to divorce later without having to revisit the divorce process.  Whether you are dealing with divorce or a legal separation, or if you are unsure as to which form of separation is right for you, it is important to seek legal counsel from an experienced CT family lawyer.

What Hire a Family or Divorce Attorney?

A divorce lawyer focuses their practice on divorce and related legal issues such as custody.  Lawyers who deal with divorce related issues have an acute knowledge of all related issues that arise when parties are going through a divorce such as division of property, allocation of debts, spousal support, child support, child custody, and parenting plans. 

Keep in mind that divorce practices vary from state to state so it is important to consult a an experienced divorce lawyer who practices family and matrimimonial law in Connecticut.

A divorce can be resolved through mediation to avoid expensive and contested divorce proceedings. If you believe, mediation may be appropriate for your situation, call Attorney Bauer now for a free consultation.

Uncontested Divorce In Connecticut

Most divorce cases in Connecticut are uncontested. This means that (with or without the help of legal counsel) the two parties were able to come to an agreement about property, children and support issues without involving the courts.

No-Fault Divorce In Connecticut

Connecticut is a no-fault divorce state.  In a no-fault divorce state, only one party needs to state that their marriage has "broken down irretrievably".  This legal term should not be misunderstood.  No-fault divorce simply states that proof of fault is not required as grounds for divorce as it is with at-fault divorce. The courts may determine that one party played a larger role in the breakdown of a marriage. An experienced Connecticut divorce lawyer will help you to better understand how fault may play a role in your specific situation.

Additional Considerations in a Connecticut Divorce

Aside from the divorce or legal separation itself, many other considerations need to be thoroughly examined before your marriage can be dissolved.  These considerations include, but are not limited to, marital division of property, pre-marital property, allocation of debts, alimony, child support, retirement and pension division, business valuations, custody, and parenting plans.

What is Marital Division of Property In Connecticut?

In Connecticut, when a party brings property into a marriage, that party may be awarded the property with consideration given for contribution to the property during the marriage by the other spouse.  That being said there are still decisions that will need to be made about the property that has been acquired during the marriage.  There is no law that states that property obtained since the formation of the marriage will be divided equally.  When dealing with marital property division in CT, it is advised that you seek representation from an experienced Connecticut family lawyer who will help you find a fair and equitable distribution of all marital assets.

What is Allocation of Debts In Connecticut?

Not only is property divided in the dissolution of marriage or legal separation but debt is  divided as well.  Again there is no law that guarantees an equal division of debt. Careful consideration needs to be made such as who acquired the debt and for what purpose was the debt acquired? Did one party benefit more from the acquired debt more than the other party?

What is Alimony (Spousal Support) In Connecticut?

Alimony, sometimes referred to as spousal support, is an ongoing court ordered payment from one party to another.  There is no law that guarantees alimony in a divorce.  A number of factors including, but not limited to, length of marriage, earning capacity, and causes for the breakdown of marriage may be taken into consideration when determining the amount of alimony and the length it is paid.

What is Child Support in Connecticut?

In CT, many cases of divorce involve children who must be considered and provided for. Child support is a court mandated payment from one party to another for the purpose of caring for the children. Connecticut has developed a set of guidelines to determine what child support should be based on the parties’ incomes. There are grounds to deviate from the Connecticut child support guidelines such as extraordinary medical expenses, total family support or shared physical custody. Consult with an experienced Connecticut family and custody attorney to further discuss child support issues.

What is a Parenting Plan in CT?

A parenting plan is a written agreement that details how children will be taken care of in a divorce or custody matter.  This includes a plan for custody and visitation as well as holiday and vacation time. Essentially, a parenting plan will set guidelines for how the separating couple will co-parent their child or children following a divorce.

When to Consult A CT Family Divorce Lawyer

Getting through a divorce without legal counsel is difficult and overwhelming  An experienced CT divorce lawyer will provide you with the guidance you need to assure that your interests and assets are protected. If you are dealing with a divorce, legal separation, or marriage annulment, please schedule a consultation with Attorney Renee C. Bauer.

If you live in or around New Haven, Middlesex, Fairfield, and Hartford Counties in CT, contact Attorney Bauer to learn more about your rights as you go through a divorce.