Do It Yourself Divorce in Connecticut: A Practical Guide

When a DIY Divorce Makes Sense in Connecticut

Filing for divorce without an attorney — called proceeding "pro se" — works well when three conditions are met: you and your spouse agree on the major terms, your finances are relatively straightforward, and you are willing to do the paperwork yourself.

Connecticut's court system explicitly accommodates self-represented filers. The Judicial Branch website provides every form you need, Court Service Centers offer free access to computers and printers, and the E-Services portal lets you file documents electronically once your case is docketed.

A DIY approach makes the most sense if you fit one of these profiles:

• Short marriage, no children, limited assets. You may qualify for the nonadversarial track under C.G.S. § 46b-44a (married nine years or less, combined net assets under $80,000, no real property, no defined benefit pensions). This track takes roughly 35 days and requires no courtroom appearance.
• Longer marriage but full agreement. You and your spouse agree on property division, debt, support, and custody. You file on the standard track, submit a Dissolution Agreement, and request approval "on the papers."
• Spouse will not participate. If your spouse is unreachable or refuses to engage, you can still file, serve them through a State Marshal, and pursue a default judgment after 30 days from the Return Date.

What You Need to File

The core filing package for a standard pro se divorce in Connecticut includes:

• Summons (JD-FM-3) — with a Tuesday Return Date at least four weeks out
• Complaint (JD-FM-159) — stating grounds (usually irretrievable breakdown)
• Notice of Automatic Court Orders (JD-FM-158) — binding financial and custodial restrictions
• Affidavit Concerning Children (JD-FM-164) — required if you have minor children
• Financial Affidavit (JD-FM-6) — due within 30 days of the Return Date (both spouses)

The filing fee is $360. If your income is at or below 125% of the federal poverty level, file a Fee Waiver Application (JD-FM-75) to have it waived.

After filing, you will also need:

• Dissolution Agreement (JD-FM-172) — your complete settlement terms
• Parenting Education Program certificate — required within 60 days if children are involved ($150 per person, waivable)
• Affidavits in Support of Judgment (JD-FM-281 and JD-FM-282) — to request approval without a hearing

Common Mistakes DIY Filers Make

Miscalculating the Return Date. The Return Date must be a Tuesday at least four weeks from the date of service. It is not a court appearance — it is the administrative anchor for all deadlines. Getting this wrong can invalidate your filing.

Inconsistent financial numbers. Connecticut requires weekly calculations on the Financial Affidavit (JD-FM-6) but monthly numbers on the Fee Waiver (JD-FM-75). If these numbers do not reconcile, the court flags it as a credibility issue and may reject your paperwork.

Missing the service deadline. Your spouse must be served at least 12 days before the Return Date, and the complete package must be filed with the clerk at least six days before. Miss either deadline and you need to pick a new Return Date and start over.

Forgetting the Parenting Education Program. If you have children and do not complete the six-hour course within 60 days, the court can delay your entire case.

When You Should Not Go DIY

Hire an attorney — or at least pay for a consultation — if any of these apply:

• You suspect your spouse is hiding assets or income
• There is a history of domestic violence or coercive control
• You own a business together or have complex retirement accounts (pensions, stock options)
• You disagree on child custody and cannot reach a compromise
• Your spouse has hired an attorney and you would be negotiating alone against a lawyer

A one-hour consultation with a Connecticut family law attorney typically costs $200 to $400 and can help you understand whether your case is safe to handle yourself.

Getting Started

The Connecticut Divorce Filing Process Guide is built specifically for pro se filers. It covers every form in the filing sequence, explains each deadline, and includes worksheets for organizing your finances before you complete the Financial Affidavit — so you avoid the common mistakes that delay uncontested cases.

See more Connecticut guides →