Temporary Alimony and Child Support Hearings in Connecticut Divorce

New Law enacts the “timely scheduling of temporary financial support hearings in divorce and custody proceedings

An urgent and oft presented question when faced with the prospect of a divorce, particularly from non-monied spouses:

“How will the finances work during the course of my divorce or custody matter?” 

“How do I get alimony and child support while my divorce is pending?”

Finally, there is an expedited path to financial relief (soon to be available) — thanks to the Connecticut legislature.

New Rules Require Prompt Scheduling of Financial Claims during Connecticut Divorce

During COVID and the family court’s simultaneous change to the new “Pathways” docket management process, a very limited tier of proceedings previously existed to bring emergency proceedings before the court.  Motions that qualified for this limited tier emergency matters were referred to as a “Priority 1” matter. Priority 1 matters included: emergency custody applications, restraining orders, and certain types of emergency injunctive relief – all aimed at obtaining temporary orders to be held in place while your divorce is pending.

These emergency proceedings all embraced incredibly important claims, but gaping holes remained for what matters could be filed and heard.  Wait no more, important relief has arrived to schedule the prompt hearing of financial claims during the pendency of a divorce of custody matter.

The Connecticut General Assembly recently passed Public Act 23-7, passed by the legislature and approved by the Governor.  The new rules go into effect on January 1, 2024.  This act sets “a timeframe within which the court must hold a hearing on temporary financial support in divorce, legal separation, annulment, and custody proceedings.”  The act specifically addresses “pendente lite” proceedings (a.k.a. proceedings involving temporary orders involving Alimony and Child Support), which are proceedings that entertain motions for “orders” put in place by the family judge until the final outcome of the case.

Statutory Requirement to Schedule Motion for Pendente Lite Alimony and/or Support

Public Act 23-7 sets a timeframe during which the court must hold a hearing – which is now mandated to be heard within 60 days following the filing date of:

(1) A motion requesting an initial order of alimony or support pendente lite; and;

(2) The moving party’s accompanying affidavit making specific attestations necessary to support the scheduling required by the act;

And while there is room for that hearing to be continued to another date, the act further sets special conditions which are intended to protect the right to have that hearing held promptly.

Relief has arrived for the prompt hearing of financial claims during the pendency of a divorce of custody matter in Connecticut

As of the time of this writing, this procedural change is still a few months away from implementation by the Connecticut family courts, so its impact cannot be analyzed yet.  However, Public Act 23-7 clearly addresses a long-identified need in pending family cases, which should now allow expedited access to a hearing in front of a judge on certain financial matters (including temporary alimony and child support) during the pendency of most family cases.  It will especially be helpful to non-monied spouses to obtain relief related spousal support, child support, and custody.

Whether you are the monied or non-monied spouse, pendente lite (aka temporary) proceedings are an important milestone in the process of a divorce and are of material consequence.  As always, it is important to seek the help of an experienced divorce and family law attorney, who appears regularly in the family court venue to which your case will appear and with whom you are extremely comfortable.  The relationship with your divorce attorney will be most successful if it is built around trust, as it can be a long-bumpy process.

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Child Support in Connecticut Divorce – Most Frequently Asked and Answered Questions

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Is my Child Support reduced if the father has another child?

No, if your child's father has another baby, your child support does not automatically go down.

The criteria for seeking a modification to child support is a 'material change in circumstances."

Broadly, Child Support is considered the right of the child.

At what age does child support stop in Connecticut?

Generally, the duty to pay court ordered child support ends when the child turns 18 years old.

There are a variety of exceptions to that general rule in Connecticut.  For example, if a child remains high school, child support extends to the age of 19.

Additionally, Child support for qualified special needs children can extend to the age of 21.

Emancipation of a child ends child support obligations.   In order to be emancipated by a Connecticut Court, you must be at least 16 years old and meet one of the following conditions:

1) be married,

2) be in the armed forces,

3) be living apart from your parents or guardian and be managing your own finances, or

4) the court must determine that an emancipation is in the child's best interests;

Can child support obligations ne waived by agreement between the parents?

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Do Child Support obligations end automatically in Connecticut?

Child Support obligations do not end automatically in Connecticut (e.g. when a child turns 18 years old).  To terminate court ordered Child Support, a motion to terminate child support must be filed in family court.  And, you will have to go to the hearing.  The court will consider all relevant factors including the needs of the child. the incomes of the parents, and the parent's ability to support the child.

Is Child Support in Connecticut tax deductible?

Child Support is not tax-deductible to either parent.  Therefore, it is important to take this into account when negotiating the terms of child support in your divorce.

Who has the obligation to pay child support in Connecticut?

A child's parents are obligated to pay Child Support in Connecticut.  Child Support is paid by the non-custodial parent to the custodial parent for the purpose of making a financial contribution to the child's needs.

This parental obligation exists regardless of whether or not parents are married, divorced, or were never married.

 

 

Attorney Melissa Needle

Attorney Melissa Needle is a lifetime resident of Connecticut. She was born in New Haven and raised in Fairfield. Melissa is a third-generation attorney. Since her admission to the bar in 1990, Ms. Needle has practiced matrimonial law exclusively.  Attorney Needle is a highly accomplished ultra-high-net-worth divorce litigator in lower Fairfield County, CT.

Attorney Alexander J. Cuda

Alexander J. Cuda is a highly respected family and matrimonial law attorney. Attorney Cuda writes and speaks prolifically about high-net-worth and complex divorce. Alex’s leadership in family law community and Connecticut bar is well-known. He has been named one of the “Top 10 Family Law Attorneys in Southern Connecticut” by such organizations as the National Academy of Family Law Attorneys, the American Institute of Family Law Attorneys, AVVO (2017-2023) and is a Super Lawyers Honoree (2012-2024).  In addition to his robust divorce litigation practice, Attorney Cuda also handles complex divorce appeals.  Attorney Cuda also volunteers to help victims of domestic violence at the Greenwich, CT YMCA and is passionate about fighting for expanded child support for qualifying special needs children.