There are Standing Orders in Connecticut Family Court. The specific Orders depend on the type of case and must be followed unless the requirements are waived or modified by a judge in that case or the matter involves a Restraining Order.
Standing Orders – Trials or Hearings
The following documents must be exchanged between the parties or their attorneys and filed with the court not less than five (5) calendar days before the assigned trial or hearing date.
- Current sworn financial affidavits, if any financial issues are involved.
- A list of all pending motions, including motions to be decided before the start of the trial or hearing. For example. Motions in Limine and Motions for a Protective Order.
- A fully completed Child Support Guidelines Worksheet, if applicable.
- Written proposed orders in accordance with Practice Book Sec. 25-30(c) and (d).
- A list of the names of all witnesses each party reasonably expects to call as part of the party’s case in chief, as well as any reasonably anticipated rebuttal witnesses, including an identifier (that is, party, eyewitness, or expert) and stating any expected scheduling problems that the witness may have. Important: This order does not replace or change the requirements regarding expert witness disclosure.
- A list of exhibits each party expects to offer: P plus a number for the Plaintiff, and D plus a letter for the Defendant, along with a brief description of each Exhibit, indicating whether any party objects to the admission of the Exhibit and if so, including a statement of the grounds for the objection if known.
- Copies of the Exhibits listed above.
Standing Orders – Case Dates
The following documents are to be exchanged and filed with the court not less than five (5) calendar days before the Case Date.
1. If there is a pending motion that concerns financial issues, current sworn financial affidavits meeting the requirements of Practice Book Sec. 25-30(a).
2. If there is a pending motion that concerns child support, a fully completed Child Support Guidelines Worksheet.
3. If a party has more than one motion that is pending at the time of the Case Date, the party shall provide:
a. A list of the motions the party intends to pursue on the Case Date. The moving party must be prepared to start the hearing of any motion on their, even if completion of the hearing requires additional time at a later date. The list shall include an estimate of the amount of hearing time expected to be required for the hearing of each listed motion. Motions shall be listed in order of the priority in which the filing party believes the motions should be heard. (Important!)
b. A list of the party’s motions that are pending but which the party does NOT intend to pursue on the Case Date as set forth in Section(B)(3)(a). Unless otherwise ordered by the court, the motions on this list shall be deemed to be scheduled for the next Case Date, if any, and if none, then for the time of trial.
4. Provide copies of proposed Exhibits to the other party.
5. A party may (but is not required to) provide written Proposed Orders in accordance with Practice Book Sec. 25-30(c) and (d).
Standing Orders Noncompliance
What happens if a party does not comply with Standing Orders? If it is a trial or hearing, the judge court may impose sanctions on the party, including a monetary sanction (fine), exclusion of evidence, or the entry of a judgment against the noncomplying party or a dismissal of the case.
On a Case Date, the court may decline to hear a pending motion for which the moving party has not complied with the Standing Orders.
I represent clients in divorce and Family Court related matters through out Fairfield and New Haven Counties including those who reside in Easton, Fairfield, Monroe, Trumbull, Stratford, Bridgeport, Westport, Weston, New Canaan, Wilton, Norwalk, Darien, Stamford, Greenwich, Shelton, Orange and Milford.
Please email me or call me in Stamford at (203) 356-1475 or in Fairfield at (203) 259-5251 to schedule a consultation regarding Standing Orders in Connecticut Family Court.