Connecticut Family Law Blog

In Connecticut and elsewhere, divorce is almost always a source of stress. Even in the most amicable of divorces there are emotions that have to be settled. Lives are changed, plans are changed, dreams are changed and everything is changed, so emotions are completely normal. The two spouses getting divorced aren't the only ones who have an emotional investment in the situation; their children do, too. With some work and dedication, the emotional impact of divorce on the child can be minimized.

Divorce is especially emotional for children. Their lives are completely turned upside down, and they have absolutely no control over what is going on. Suddenly their parents live separately, they have to split their lives between two separate homes, and everyone acts differently than they always have. It is a very alienating and stressful time for them. By trying to minimize the changes the children encounter, the parents can help the children better adapt to their new lives.

Prenuptial agreements are becoming more and more common for the average American. Once thought to be only for the wealthy, prenups are now common in family law courts all across the country, including Connecticut. There are many benefits to having a prenup, and the rich and famous aren't the only ones with interests to protect.

Most people know that if one person has much more money going into the marriage than the other that a prenuptial agreement is usually recommended. Not only does it protect that individual, but it also can establish spousal support in the future for the other partner while the couple is on good terms. This could possibly result in a more promising outcome for that spouse should a divorce occur. In addition to dividing up assets, a prenup can also establish who will be responsible for debt. If one spouse has debt going into the marriage, a prenup can prevent the other spouse from getting stuck paying for those debts if the couple splits.

Navigating the divorce process can be a scary, lonely and confusing process. It is even scarier when a parent is unsure how the separation will affect his relationship with his children. Often, fathers assume that they don't have the same rights as mothers when it comes to child custody. In order to ensure they have the best chance of obtaining a favorable outcome in their child custody order, Connecticut fathers will want to know how the state courts determine child custody arrangements.

The first important fact to keep in mind for biological fathers interested in custody of their children is that, in Connecticut, once paternity is established, they have the same parental rights mothers have. If the father and mother were married, paternity is assumed. If the couple was never married, paternity may have to be established.

Parents often disagree strongly about where children should live or whether or not it is good for a child to go on a certain trip. In some cases, one parent may actively prevent the other parent from spending court-ordered time with a child, which is a fairly serious violation that can lead to criminal charges.

Understanding parental kidnapping is not as simple as one might think. Whether some act qualifies as kidnapping may vary depending on the marital status of the parents and whether or not the parents have a court order outlining the time that each parent spends with the child. Needless to say, navigating this particular area is not always simple.