| An analysis of social statistics and vital parameters | | | | grounds for divorce which are as follows: |
| leads to the conclusion that Connecticut society is | | | | (1) irretrievable breakdown of marriage; |
| certainly in the pink of health. In 1994, Connecticut | | | | (2) marital incompatibility with no cohabitation for at |
| had the second lowest divorce rate in the US, which | | | | least 18 months; |
| was 2.4/1000 population. Though being the fourth | | | | (3) adultery; |
| most densely populated state, the divorce rate in | | | | (4) fraudulent contract; |
| Connecticut always stayed much below the national | | | | (5) desertion and neglect of marital duties; |
| average. The divorce rate stood at 3.2/1000 | | | | (6) prolonged absence of a spouse; |
| population in 1990 and maintained itself at the same | | | | (7) addiction; |
| level in 2001. Then followed a downward trend, with | | | | (8) cruelty; |
| divorce rate being 3.1/1000 in 2004. Several factors | | | | (9) involvement of a spouse in a crime or in case of |
| are responsible for this. Connecticut is the richest | | | | imprisonment; |
| state in America with the highest per capita income. | | | | (10) prolonged and severe mental illness of a spouse |
| Being home to the prestigious Yale University, the | | | | (Connecticut General Statutes: Title 46b- Chapter 40) |
| quality of education in Connecticut is also very high. It | | | | As regards the division of property pursuant to a |
| is a known fact that the couples with high standards | | | | divorce decree, Connecticut is an equitable distribution |
| of living and a better education face less | | | | state. All the marital property is divided equitably |
| interpersonal tensions and are less likely to divorce. | | | | amongst the two parties, as deemed just and fair by |
| Compared to other states, Connecticut has a very | | | | the court, in case of any disagreement. While doing |
| low rate of Out-of-Wedlock births. The rate of | | | | so, the court weighs various factors such as the age |
| cohabitation in Connecticut is also very low. Teen | | | | and health of the spouses, financial status, |
| Birth Rate in Connecticut is amongst the lowest, | | | | employability, contribution of both the parties, etc. |
| being 8.3% in 1998. Thus the divorce statistics | | | | (Connecticut General Statutes: Title 46b- Chapter 81). |
| regarding Connecticut tend to be very reliable. | | | | The court has the power to assign alimony to a |
| Connecticut has a high joint custody rate of 35.8 | | | | spouse. While deciding, the court listens to the |
| 36.4, a factor considered to be very important in | | | | witnesses of the two parties and deliberates over |
| reducing the divorce rate. As per a 2001 survey, | | | | various factors such as the causes for the divorce, |
| Roman Catholics constitute 32% of the state's | | | | age and health of the two parties, assets and |
| population, a community known for having low | | | | liabilities, employability, child custody decision, etc. The |
| divorce rates. | | | | court may order a spouse to hold life insurance for |
| A suit for dissolution of marriage can be filed by | | | | the other spouse. The alimony granted to a spouse is |
| either of the spouses at any time, once he or she | | | | modifiable in the future, depending upon the change |
| has established residence in Connecticut. For initiating | | | | in circumstances of one or other of the two parties. |
| a divorce procedure, either of the spouses must be | | | | The Connecticut Law holds the joint custody to be in |
| a resident of Connecticut for at least one year just | | | | the best interest of the child. A court favors a joint |
| before the filing of the complaint or just prior to the | | | | custody in the situation of an agreement between |
| date of the decree, or one of the spouses had been | | | | the two parents. In case of a disagreement, the |
| a resident of Connecticut at the time of marriage | | | | parents are required to file a Parental Responsibility |
| and returned to the state with the aim of | | | | Plan with the court, demarcating the responsibilities |
| permanently settling there before the complaint is | | | | and liabilities of each parent. In exceptional cases, the |
| filed, or the cause for the divorce arose after either | | | | custody may be granted to a third party also. After |
| of the spouses moved into the state. A complaint | | | | a serious contemplation, the court may grant a |
| for dissolution is filed in the Superior Court of the | | | | visitation right to any person in case of a minor child. |
| District in which one of the spouses resides. | | | | The court may order the parents to participate in a |
| (Connecticut General Statutes: Title 46b- Chapters 44 | | | | Parenting Education Program designed by the Judicial |
| and 45) The party who files the compliant is called | | | | Department. |
| the Plaintiff. The spouse on whom the complaint is | | | | The child support is calculated in accordance with the |
| served is called the Defendant. In case a spouse is an | | | | Child Support Guidelines that follow an Income Shares |
| inpatient of a mental institution in the state, a copy | | | | Model. The needs of the child and financial status of |
| of the complaint is also served on the Commissioner | | | | the parents are given a due consideration, while doing |
| of Administrative Services. | | | | so. |
| Connecticut has both the fault- and no-fault-based | | | | |