Connecticut Courts Now Entering Orders in Uncontested Divorce, Custody/Visitation cases and Motions with an Agreement Without Requiring Parties to Appear in Court

The Connecticut Courts are now entering Final Judgments and Orders as to Separation Agreements and other agreements related to Divorce and Family Law cases without requiring the parties (or their counsel) to appear in Court.

These actions / cases include the following:

• Divorce or Legal Separation
• Custody / Visitation Agreements
• Motion / Groups of Motions

What does this mean for you?  If you and your spouse have agreed on all the issues relating to your divorce (for example: alimony, division of property, child support and visitation (if applicable), etc.), then you will be able to submit to the court a fully executed copy of your Separation Agreement (Dissolution Agreement) as well as the other required forms, and the Court may enter a judgment of dissolution, i.e. order you divorced from your spouse without you or your spouse having to appear as long as you and your spouse have a written agreement and file the written agreement with the Court in addition to the necessary forms.  The same concept applies for other pending custody / visitation and/or other motions, whether pendente lite or post judgment, the Court may grant a judgment regarding a matter as long as the paperwork is appropriately submitted.

Parties must be very careful when utilizing this process as there are specific documents that must be filed with the Court prior to the Court’s consideration of the Application for Approval without Appearance.  The Connecticut Judicial Branch has developed specific forms that must be utilized if an Agreement is to be approved without the presence of the parties. The type of form depends on the case or action to be disposed of and the Connecticut Judicial Branch has developed a website specifically outlining which forms are for which category of case.

Westport Divorce Attorneys represent clients in Uncontested Divorce, Custody/Visitation cases and Motions in CT without appearing in Court

The agreements and requisite forms will not be rubber stamped by the Judges, and each Agreement reviewed under this process must still satisfy the requisite Connecticut Law requirements.  The attorneys of Needle | Cuda can guide you in any way needed through the newly developed non-appearing agreement process.