Family Law in Connecticut

  • Family Law in Connecticut

    Family law includes divorce, cohabitation, paternity, alimony, child support, custody and visitation rights, adoption, and much more. Family law is especially important to couples that are not married, but share property or children.

    About three quarters of all states recognize common law marriages, in which a couple has lived together for a certain time (typically between seven to 14 years) as husband and wife, without the formal legalities of marriage. Connecticut does not sanction common law marriages, but does recognize valid common law marriages consummated in common law states. In these cases, the Court treats a common law marriage identically to a normal marriage or civil union.

    Couples who have never been married, but who have children find themselves in the Family Court to resolve disputes over issues dealing with their common children. Essentially, in Connecticut, if both Parents are competent, and both Parents agree, the Family Court will not exercise jurisdiction. If, however, the State feels the Parents are putting the children at risk, the State will act through DCYS. The Parents will be summoned into the JUVENILE COURT and charged with neglect.

    Couples living together can run afoul of the criminal code. One or both of them can be charged with assault, breach of peace, risk of injury to a minor, harassment, stalking, or other charges. Usually, these types of charges are handled in the Criminal Court in a separate session called FAMILY VIOLENCE. Often a Protective Order is issued, which can prevent a parent from returning home or seeing his or her children. In this Court, special rules apply. This courts mission is primarily to protect the “victim”. The secondary goal is to rehabilitate individuals so that they can return to their families.

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    When looking for the right lawyer to handle your Connecticut divorce,ask how often that attorney actually tries cases in court. Connecticut divorce attorney Heidi E. Opinsky, is an aggressive advocate and experienced litigator

    If you need a divorce or family law attorney in Fairfield County Connecticut, to address a division of assets or a separation agreement, we encourage you to contact Heidi E. Opinsky, Attorney at Law.