Connecticut permits divorce when a marriage has broken down irretrievably, commonly called no-fault divorce. The statutes also list other grounds. Selecting language for a complaint is only one part of the case; residency, notice, financial disclosure, parenting issues and court procedure also affect how the matter moves forward.
No-Fault Divorce: Irretrievable Breakdown
Under Connecticut General Statutes Section 46b-40, irretrievable breakdown is a ground for dissolution. A spouse does not need to prove adultery or other misconduct merely to establish this ground. Conduct can still be relevant to certain financial or parenting issues when the governing law makes it relevant.
Other Statutory Grounds
Section 46b-40 also lists grounds such as adultery, fraudulent contract, wilful desertion, seven years’ absence, habitual intemperance, intolerable cruelty, imprisonment for specified offenses and confinement for mental illness under the statute’s terms. Pleading and proving a fault-based ground can increase conflict and expense, so its practical value should be evaluated case by case.
Connecticut Residency
Section 46b-44 addresses when a Connecticut court may enter a divorce judgment. A case may sometimes be started before the residency requirement for judgment has been completed, but the court cannot enter judgment until a statutory basis exists. Military service, a return to Connecticut domicile and other facts can affect the analysis.
How Long Does a Connecticut Divorce Take?
Old descriptions of a universal ninety-day divorce waiting period are no longer a reliable statement of current Connecticut procedure. Timing depends on service, the return date, whether required documents are filed, whether spouses reach agreement, parenting and financial complexity, discovery, and the court’s schedule. An uncontested matter may move faster than a case requiring temporary orders or trial, but no lawyer can promise a judgment date.
Issues the Judgment Must Resolve
- Parenting arrangements and child support when children are involved
- Division of property and responsibility for debts
- Alimony, if requested and legally supported
- Health insurance, taxes and other enforceable terms
- Restoration of a former name, when requested
Compare the processes for uncontested divorce and contested divorce.
Talk With a Connecticut Divorce Lawyer
Call (203) 373-9080 or use the form on this page. Submitting a form does not create an attorney-client relationship. Representation begins only after a conflicts check and a written engagement agreement.
Reviewed September 2026. Connecticut law and court procedures can change. This page provides general information and is not legal advice.
