Effective October 1, 2013 Connecticut judges will be required to consider earning capacity and education as two additional factors when determining alimony. Not really big news. Connecticut judges in calculating alimony have already routinely used both of these factors. The new law simply mandates a judge to consider them. Education of course ties in with…
The first step is to determine paternity. The second step is to establish the amount the non-custodial parent will pay for child support. This blog deals with the next step – collecting child support. In Connecticut, there are three avenues to consider: Hire a lawyer; Represent yourself; or Request the assistance of the State…
Co-parenting involves two parents working together for the benefit of their child. Seems easy enough. But I see all too often that some parents simply cannot co-parent. And in many of those cases, it is simply because a parent puts his or her own needs ahead of what is best for the child. It becomes…
Family Courts and Juvenile Courts in Connecticut have the authority to order hair follicle testing to determine whether there is a pattern of drug use. I have seen these tests ordered with increasing frequency as the reliability of these tests are now widely accepted. The standard hair follicle test goes back about 90 days and…
Grandparents in Connecticut may apply to the Family Court to obtain visitation with their grandchild. For a judge to grant grandparent visitation over a parent’s objection there must be two separate findings: 1. The grandparent must have a relationship with the child that is parent-like; and 2. Denial of the visitation will cause real…
Yes – restraining orders in Connecticut can be extended. In order to do so, the Applicant (the person in need of protection) must file a Motion to Extend before the restraining order expires. But once it lapses, you have to start from scratch and there’s no protection in the interim. So – do not wait…