What Happens After Filing for Divorce in Connecticut

The First 30 Days: Financial Disclosure

Once your case is docketed and the Return Date arrives, the clock starts running on mandatory financial disclosure. Both spouses must complete and exchange a Financial Affidavit (JD-FM-6) within 30 days of the Return Date.

This form requires total transparency — weekly income from all sources, weekly expenses broken down by category, a complete list of assets (real estate, vehicles, bank accounts, retirement funds, investments), and all liabilities (mortgages, car loans, credit cards, student loans). Every number must be calculated on a weekly basis, which trips up many filers who think in monthly or annual terms.

The Financial Affidavit is not optional and it is not casual. You sign it under oath. If the numbers on your affidavit contradict other documents in the case — like your tax returns or your fee waiver application — the court treats it as a credibility problem that can delay or complicate your case.

Your Spouse's Response

If your spouse was formally served by a State Marshal, they have 20 days after the Return Date to file an Appearance (JD-CL-12) with the court. If they were served by abode service (papers left at their residence), they get 25 days.

Filing an Appearance does not mean your spouse agrees with anything in the complaint. It simply tells the court they know about the case and intend to participate. Your spouse can also file:

• An Answer — agreeing or disagreeing with specific allegations in the complaint
• A Cross-Complaint — requesting independent relief (alimony, custody, property division) that was not in your original complaint

If your spouse does not file an Appearance at all, you can pursue a default judgment after 30 days from the Return Date.

The Resolution Plan Date (RPD)

Approximately 30 to 45 days after the Return Date, the court schedules your Resolution Plan Date. This is your first in-person court event, but it is not a hearing. You meet with a court-appointed Family Relations Counselor who evaluates the status of your case and assigns it to one of three tracks:

Track A — Full Agreement. You and your spouse have resolved all issues. The counselor fast-tracks your case for a final hearing or paper approval.

Track B — Moderate Conflict. You have some unresolved disputes that appear negotiable. The court schedules mediation sessions to help you reach an agreement.

Track C — High Conflict. Major disputes remain over custody, property, or support. The court establishes a discovery schedule and prepares the case for trial.

Come to the RPD prepared. Bring copies of your Financial Affidavit, a list of what you agree on, and a list of what remains unresolved. The counselor's track assignment directly affects how long your case takes from this point forward.

Parenting Education Program

If your case involves minor children under 18, both parents must complete a state-approved six-hour Parenting Education Program within 60 days of the initial filing date. The course covers the impact of divorce on children, effective co-parenting communication, and conflict resolution.

The cost is $150 per person, paid directly to the approved provider. If you received a court fee waiver (JD-FM-75), the program provider is required to waive this cost.

You do not attend the course together — each parent enrolls separately. Once completed, the provider files a Certificate of Completion with the court. If either parent fails to complete the program on time, the court can delay the entire case.

The 90-Day Waiting Period

Under C.G.S. § 46b-67, no final divorce decree can be entered until at least 90 days after the Return Date. This is a mandatory cooling-off period that applies to every standard-track case, including fully uncontested ones.

During this time, you and your spouse should be working on your Dissolution Agreement (JD-FM-172) if you have not already finalized it. The agreement covers everything: property division, debt allocation, alimony terms, child custody and visitation schedules, and child support calculations.

Once the 90-day period expires and your agreement is complete, you have two options:

Hearing. You appear before a judge who reviews the agreement, asks a few questions to confirm it is fair and voluntary, and enters the final decree.

On the papers. You submit Forms JD-FM-281 and JD-FM-282 requesting approval without a courtroom appearance. The judge reviews the paperwork and enters the decree if everything checks out. This option has been available since 2022 for cases where both parties agree.

Setting Up E-Services

Register for the Judicial Branch E-Services portal as soon as your case is docketed. Once your electronic access is approved, you can file motions, view court documents, receive notices, and track your case status without visiting the courthouse. The portal is free and available to self-represented filers.

The Connecticut Divorce Filing Process Guide maps every post-filing deadline into a single timeline worksheet — from Financial Affidavit due dates through the 90-day waiting period — so nothing falls through the cracks.

See more Connecticut guides →