Connecticut has created a “special” divorce court, which hears lengthy, contested cases involving children. The court is the Middletown Regional Family Trial Docket (RFTD).
The RFTD is designed to decide cases quickly and efficiently. One judge is assigned to the case and presides over all aspects of the litigation.
Divorce cases and other matters involving children such as custody modification and relocation requests may be referred from any Family Court throughout Connecticut as long as certain requirements are met:
1. It must be a fully contested divorce where issues concerning children such as residential custody, legal decision making and a parenting plan are in dispute. If the case only involves financial issues such as alimony, property division and allocation of debts then the trial will be heard in the local divorce court.
2. Family Relations must have completed a Study within the last nine months.
3. The child(ren) must have been appointed an attorney or a guardian ad litem.
Before the case goes to trial, the parents and their lawyers must participate in an all day conference in an effort to settle the case. A fair number of cases resolve at this stage. However, if no agreement is reached, then clear your calendar. Expect trial to start soon thereafter.
Once trial begins, the case usually proceeds with few interruptions and often on consecutive days until finished. Motions for Continuance are often denied and delays are minimized. The idea, of course, is to resolve issues pertaining to children as soon as possible. Custody, visitation and parenting plans are a priority here – as they should be.
Please email me or call (203) 259-5251 if you would like more information about the Middletown Regional Family Trial Docket.