No-Fault Divorce Lawyers in Westport
Serving Norwalk, Fairfield County, Darien, New Canaan & Wilton
The Connecticut legislature completely changed our divorce laws in 1973. For the first time, people in Connecticut could get divorced if their marriage had suffered an irretrievable breakdown. What this means is, it was no longer necessary to prove that because of adultery, intolerable cruelty, or some other reason, your spouse was at fault in the breakdown of the marriage. Instead, if one spouse believes the marriage is dead, then the court can dissolve the marriage. As a result, many people refer to Connecticut as having “no-fault divorce.”
In making financial awards, however, the court can still take into consideration why the marriage broke down.
Our divorce lawyers are here to help you through the process. We serve the greater New Canaan, CT; Greenwich, CT; and Darien, CT areas. If you’re looking for a divorce lawyer you can trust, don't hesitate to call us.
Thus, adultery, violence, alcohol or drug abuse, and other types of “fault” do play a role, even in “no-fault divorce.” Do not assume that your conduct or your spouse’s conduct during the marriage will have no bearing on the judge’s decision.
Because the court may consider fault, do not be surprised if we ask about fault or if your spouse’s lawyer brings it up.
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When the legislature changed our laws in 1973, it also decided that the time had come to remove some of the stigma of divorce. The victim is no longer granted a “divorce” from the villain. Instead, the parties’ marriage is dissolved. Bad habits are hard to break. Most people, including our attorneys, continue to refer to dissolution of marriage as divorce.
If you want to divorce your spouse, call our firm today. No matter the reason for the divorce, we can help you throughout the process from start to finish, ensuring it goes as smoothly and civilly as possible.
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“I had a fairly complex case which involved adultery. Janet & Olivia were able to dissect the issue in a stepwise, logical manner, delivering ample rewards during the actual trial.”- Former Client
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“I know Ferro Family Law provided me the very best outcome I could hope for. Since then, I have retained them to represent me in some post judgment actions.”- Former Client
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“From the first time I met Janet & Olivia, through the end of my case, I knew I was in great hands. I cannot thank Ferro Family Law enough.”- Former Client
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“Aggressive, compassionate, cost-effective. I regularly refer Janet & Olivia to some of my most sensitive divorce cases. They are results-focused and responsive.”- Attorney Referral
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“This compassionate group of knowledgeable attorneys helped me and my children. I have and will continue to refer this firm to anyone in need of counsel for divorce.”- Former Client
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“Not only did Janet & Olivia quickly help me secure all protections for my daughter, they also ingeniously found a way to impel my spouse to get proper treatment.”- Former Client
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“Janet & Olivia genuinely care about all aspects of the client’s case and pay close attention to the client’s concerns, goals, and finances.”- Former Client
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“I have worked on several matters with Janet and Olivia. They are amazing attorneys. Smart, thorough and practical.”- Former Client
Have Questions?
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What are the grounds for a “fault” divorce?
The fault grounds for divorce include adultery, fraudulent contract, desertion, alcohol or drug addiction, intolerable cruelty, imprisonment, and others. To get divorced, one party must establish one of these grounds. It is uncommon for one party to ask for a divorce on a fault-based ground.
A party does not need to file for divorce on a fault-based ground, however, to argue that the court should consider the other party’s fault. The court may consider the fault of either party when making alimony and property division orders.
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How can a divorce lawyer help?Having a divorce lawyer will help to make the divorce process less confusing and overwhelming. A divorce lawyer will be able to advise you on the law and realistic outcomes for settling your case or at trial. In addition, a divorce lawyer will manage the case, including dealing with the other side, and advocating for your positions.
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Does Connecticut have no-fault divorce?Connecticut has no-fault divorce, meaning that neither party needs to establish that the other is at fault to get divorced. Instead, to get divorced, one party must show that the marriage has irretrievably broken down with no hope of reconciliation. However, no-fault divorce does not mean that the fault of one or both parties is irrelevant. The court may still consider fault when making awards of alimony or dividing property.
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What is alimony?Alimony is a court-ordered payment from one party to another. There are several factors that come into play when determining if one party should be granted alimony including, but not limited to, the length of the marriage, the amount and sources of income, and the causes for the breakdown of the marriage. Connecticut does not have alimony guidelines, which means that the decision to award alimony, including the duration and the amount, is entirely in the judge’s discretion.
