Connecticut Pathways Program: How the Family Court Triage System Works

Connecticut doesn't process family cases the way most states do. Instead of scheduling an initial hearing before a judge, the court uses the Pathways case management system — a triage framework that evaluates your case early, assigns it to one of three tracks based on conflict level, and determines how much judicial attention it receives.

If you're navigating a custody case in Connecticut, the Pathways system controls your timeline, your court dates, and how quickly you can finalize your agreement. Here's what to expect at each stage.

The Resolution Plan Date (RPD)

The RPD is the first major event after filing. It's typically scheduled 30 to 45 days after the Return Date for divorce cases, or within 30 days for standalone custody and visitation matters.

The RPD is not a hearing before a judge. It's a mandatory conference with a state-employed Family Relations Counselor — a clinically trained domestic relations officer who works for the court. Both parents (and their attorneys, if represented) must appear in person.

During the RPD, the counselor:

• Reviews your filed Financial Affidavits (Form JD-FM-6)
• Identifies areas of complete agreement
• Isolates specific items in dispute
• Assesses how likely you are to reach an agreement
• Recommends the appropriate track assignment and resources

If you arrive with a complete agreement and both Financial Affidavits submitted, the counselor may recommend you see a judge that same day to finalize everything. If the plaintiff fails to appear, the court may dismiss the case.

How Track Assignments Work

After the RPD assessment, the court assigns your case to one of three tracks.

Track A — Full Agreement. Both parents have resolved all custody, support, and property issues. These cases require minimal judicial oversight. Under Public Act 23-46 (effective October 2023), the 90-day waiting period is eliminated for uncontested cases — you can finalize as early as two days after the Return Date.

Track B — Partial Agreement. You have limited, defined disputes — perhaps you agree on legal custody but disagree on the residential schedule. The court schedules one Case Date, typically 30 to 60 days after the RPD, to resolve the outstanding issues.

Track C — High Conflict. Cases with contested parenting, complex financial disputes, or safety concerns. The court sets a rigid schedule: two or more Case Dates (the first at 30-60 days post-RPD, the second at 5-6 months post-RPD), strict discovery deadlines, and an ultimate trial date.

Case Dates Replace the Old Short Calendar

Before Pathways, temporary relief motions (temporary support, temporary parenting schedules) went on the Short Calendar — a weekly, massively backlogged docket where hundreds of cases were scheduled on a single day. The Pathways system eliminated the Short Calendar entirely for family matters.

Now, if you file a motion for temporary (pendente lite) relief, the court clerk schedules it for your assigned Case Date. Case Dates are formal hearings before a family court judge where you can present testimony, call witnesses, and introduce evidence. The judge also uses the Case Date as a status conference to issue scheduling orders and update deadlines.

Preparing for Your RPD

The RPD is the single most consequential administrative event in your case, and most self-represented parents walk in unprepared. The counselor's assessment directly determines your track — and your track determines your timeline, your court costs, and your stress level.

To position your case for Track A:

• Complete both Financial Affidavits (JD-FM-6) and exchange them before the RPD
• File a joint Custody/Visitation Agreement (JD-FM-183) if possible
• Enroll in the mandatory Parenting Education Program (you have 60 days, but early completion signals cooperation)
• Bring documentation of any interim parenting arrangements that are already working

If agreement is not possible, file your Proposed Parental Responsibility Plan (JD-FM-199) with a detailed residential schedule, decision-making allocation, and dispute resolution mechanism. A well-drafted plan — even from one side — demonstrates to the counselor that you're organized and solution-oriented.

The Connecticut Child Custody & Parenting Plan Guide includes an RPD preparation checklist, a Financial Affidavit walkthrough, and parenting plan worksheets designed to position your case for the fastest available track.

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