Connecticut Divorce Checklist: What to Prepare Before Filing

Financial Documents to Gather

Connecticut's Financial Affidavit (JD-FM-6) demands detailed weekly income and expense figures under oath. Gathering these documents before you file saves weeks of scrambling later:

Income records. Three months of pay stubs showing gross pay, deductions, and net take-home. If you are self-employed, collect your last two years of profit-and-loss statements and quarterly tax payments. Also gather records of any other income — rental property, freelance work, Social Security, disability, or investment dividends.

Tax returns. At least the last three years of federal and state returns, including all schedules and W-2s. If you filed jointly, you will need copies regardless of who prepared them.

Bank and credit card statements. Three to six months of statements for every account — joint and individual. Checking, savings, money market, and credit cards. These establish spending patterns and identify assets and debts.

Retirement account statements. Current statements for every 401(k), IRA, pension, and deferred compensation plan — yours and your spouse's. Connecticut divides retirement assets through QDROs (Qualified Domestic Relations Orders), and you need to know what exists before negotiating.

Mortgage and debt records. Current mortgage statement showing balance and payment, any home equity line of credit, car loan statements, student loan balances, and personal loan details.

Insurance policies. Health, auto, homeowners, renters, and life insurance. Under Connecticut's automatic court orders, you cannot cancel or modify any existing policy after filing. Knowing your current coverage helps you plan for post-divorce insurance needs.

Key Decisions to Make Before Filing

Choose your grounds. Most filers select "irretrievable breakdown" under C.G.S. § 46b-40 — the standard no-fault ground. You do not need to prove anything beyond your own testimony that the marriage is over. Decide this before completing the Complaint (JD-FM-159).

Select a Return Date. This must be a Tuesday at least four weeks after you plan to serve your spouse. Every deadline in your case — Financial Affidavit due date, Resolution Plan Date, 90-day waiting period — is counted from this date. Pick strategically.

Decide on service method. Will you hire a State Marshal ($50–$150) or will your spouse sign a Waiver of Service (JD-FM-249)? Having this conversation with your spouse beforehand, if possible, streamlines the filing.

Check nonadversarial eligibility. If you have been married nine years or less, have no children, own no joint real property, have no defined benefit pensions, have no pending bankruptcy, and your combined net assets are under $80,000, you may qualify for the expedited nonadversarial track. This cuts your timeline from months to roughly 35 days.

Consider the fee waiver. If your household income is at or below 125% of the federal poverty level, or you receive SNAP, Medicaid, TFA, or SSI, you may qualify to have the $360 filing fee, marshal fees, and Parenting Education Program costs waived. Prepare to apply when you file.

Personal and Family Records

Marriage certificate. You will need the date and location of your marriage for the complaint. A certified copy is ideal but not required for filing — the court's own records can verify it.

Children's information. If you have minor children, collect birth certificates, Social Security numbers, school enrollment records, and medical records. You will need these for the Affidavit Concerning Children (JD-FM-164) and for any custody or support discussions.

Property records. Deeds, vehicle titles, and any records of major purchases. Know what property is in your name, your spouse's name, and held jointly.

Your Pre-Filing Checklist

• [ ] Last three years of tax returns with W-2s
• [ ] Three months of pay stubs
• [ ] Three to six months of bank statements (all accounts)
• [ ] Current retirement account statements
• [ ] Mortgage statement and home equity line balances
• [ ] Car loan and student loan balances
• [ ] Credit card statements and balances
• [ ] Insurance policy documents (health, auto, life, home)
• [ ] Marriage certificate
• [ ] Children's birth certificates and Social Security numbers
• [ ] Property deeds and vehicle titles
• [ ] Chosen grounds for divorce
• [ ] Selected Return Date (a Tuesday, 4+ weeks out)
• [ ] Service method decided (marshal or waiver)
• [ ] Nonadversarial eligibility checked
• [ ] Fee waiver eligibility assessed

The Connecticut Divorce Filing Process Guide includes a printable pre-filing organizer that walks you through every document, decision, and deadline — so you file once and file correctly.

See more Connecticut guides →