How to Prepare for a Connecticut Resolution Plan Date Without a Lawyer

If you're preparing for your Resolution Plan Date without an attorney, the single most important thing you can do is arrive with a written parenting plan, completed financial figures, and organized documentation. The RPD is not a hearing — it's a triage interview with a Family Relations Counselor who evaluates your case and assigns it to Track A (near-agreement), Track B (moderate dispute), or Track C (high-conflict). Your preparation level directly influences which track you're assigned, and that assignment determines how many months your case takes to resolve.

Here's exactly what to prepare, what to bring, and how the meeting works.

What the RPD Actually Is

The Resolution Plan Date is typically scheduled 30–60 days after the return date of your custody or dissolution petition. It's an administrative meeting, not a courtroom hearing — there's no judge present. A state-employed Family Relations Counselor interviews you and the other parent (sometimes together, sometimes separately) to:

• Identify which custody and parenting issues you agree on
• Clarify what's still in dispute
• Assess the conflict level and each parent's willingness to negotiate
• Assign your case to the appropriate Pathways Program track

The counselor's assessment carries significant weight. Track A cases can finalize within weeks. Track C cases may require multiple hearings, a Guardian ad Litem, and months of litigation. The difference between tracks often comes down to how organized and cooperative each parent appears at the RPD.

What to Prepare Before the Meeting

1. Your Proposed Parenting Schedule

Draft a specific, detailed schedule — not vague preferences. Include:

• Regular weekly rotation (2-2-3, 2-2-5-5, 3-4-4-3, or alternating weeks)
• Exact transition times and locations (e.g., "Friday at 5:00 PM, exchanged at the child's school")
• Overnight count — calculate the total overnights per year for each parent. If your schedule gives the non-custodial parent 128 or more overnights (35% of the year), it qualifies as shared physical custody under Connecticut guidelines, which affects child support calculations.
• Summer and school break allocation
• Holiday schedule with alternating odd/even year assignments

A counselor who sees a detailed, written schedule is more likely to classify your case as cooperative (Track A) than one who hears "we haven't really figured that out yet."

2. Your Financial Affidavit Figures

Even if you haven't filed Form JD-FM-6 yet, calculate your financial figures before the RPD. The counselor may discuss child support, and having your numbers ready demonstrates seriousness. Key figures to prepare:

• Weekly gross income (monthly × 12 ÷ 52)
• Weekly net income after taxes and mandatory deductions
• Weekly expenses by category (housing, food, transportation, childcare, medical)
• Child-related expenses (insurance premiums, daycare, extracurricular activities, unreimbursed medical)

The Financial Affidavit uses weekly figures, while the fee waiver application (JD-FM-75) uses monthly. Prepare both to avoid the computational mismatch that regularly delays self-represented filings.

3. Your Position on Major Decisions

Courts separate legal custody (decision-making authority) from physical custody (where the child lives). Come prepared to articulate your position on:

• Medical decisions — who decides on non-emergency medical treatment, mental health care, medication
• Educational decisions — school enrollment, tutoring, special education services
• Religious upbringing — if relevant to your family
• Extracurricular activities — how costs and scheduling are shared

Joint legal custody (both parents share major decisions) is the default in most Connecticut cases. If you're requesting sole legal custody, be prepared to explain specifically why — with documented reasons, not general complaints.

4. A Written Summary of Your Position

Prepare a one-to-two-page written summary covering:

• Current living arrangements for the children
• Each parent's typical daily caregiving responsibilities
• Your proposed custody arrangement and why it serves the children's best interests
• Any specific concerns (safety, relocation, communication issues)
• Areas where you and the other parent already agree

Bring two copies — one for yourself and one you can hand to the counselor. Written summaries keep you focused and prevent you from rambling or getting sidetracked by emotional responses.

What to Bring to the RPD

• Your proposed parenting schedule (written, with overnight counts)
• Financial figures (income, expenses, child-related costs)
• Written position summary
• Any filed court documents (complaint, summons, existing orders)
• Calendar showing your current work schedule and availability
• Notes on the children's school schedule, medical appointments, and extracurricular activities
• Proof of Parenting Education Program registration (or completion certificate if already done)

What NOT to Do at the RPD

• Don't treat it as a trial. This is a planning meeting, not your chance to "win." Counselors assess cooperation, not who argues better.
• Don't badmouth the other parent. State concerns factually and specifically. "He missed three scheduled pickups in June" is useful. "He's a terrible father" is not.
• Don't arrive without a plan. Saying "I just want what's fair" forces the counselor to build your case from scratch — which signals that your case needs more intervention (Track B or C).
• Don't refuse to negotiate. Rigidity signals high conflict. If you disagree on specific points, say "I'm open to discussing alternatives for the summer schedule" rather than "That's non-negotiable."

How Track Assignment Affects Your Case

The preparation work above directly targets a Track A assignment. Parents who arrive organized, with a written plan and financial figures, demonstrate the cooperation that Track A requires — even if they haven't agreed on every detail yet.

The Full Preparation System

The Connecticut Child Custody & Parenting Plan Guide includes a standalone RPD Preparation Guide with document checklists, a best-interest self-assessment worksheet covering all 16 statutory factors, parenting schedule templates with overnight calculations, and the Financial Affidavit monthly-to-weekly converter. It's the complete preparation system for self-represented parents navigating the Pathways Program — built around what the Family Relations Counselor is actually evaluating.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if I miss my Resolution Plan Date?

Missing the RPD without notice can result in sanctions, including having temporary orders entered against you in your absence. If you need to reschedule, contact the court clerk's office as early as possible. Most courts accommodate reasonable rescheduling requests.

Can I bring a lawyer to the RPD?

Yes. If you have counsel, they can attend the RPD with you. If you're using limited-scope representation, you can hire an attorney specifically for this meeting. But many parents attend successfully without counsel — the key is preparation, not representation.

How long does the RPD take?

Typically 30–90 minutes, depending on the complexity of your case and whether the counselor meets with parents jointly or separately. Simple cases with well-prepared parents can wrap up in 30 minutes.

Can the counselor make custody decisions at the RPD?

No. The Family Relations Counselor assesses and triages your case — they don't make binding custody orders. If you reach an agreement during the RPD, the counselor can help document it for submission to the judge. If not, your case is assigned to the appropriate track for further proceedings.

Do I need to have the Parenting Education Program done before the RPD?

Not necessarily — you have 60 days from the initial filing to complete the mandatory PEP class. But registering before the RPD (and bringing proof of registration) signals proactive compliance and cooperation. The PEP costs $125–$150 per parent, though fee waivers are available through JD-FM-75.

See more Connecticut guides →