After receiving over 18 inches of snow the past two days, many Fairfield County residents are probably piling on extra clothing layers and plugging in space heaters in an effort to stay warm during the inclement winter weather. Along with the danger of trying to stay warm by using propane, kerosene or space heaters comes…
The holidays can be an stressful time of the year for everyone: rushing to get “just the right” gifts, hosting houses full of relatives and remembering loved ones who are no longer a part of the celebrations. While a fun time of the year, emotions often run high. And emotions often run even higher for…
Child Custody in Connecticut is one of the most hotly contested issues in Family Court. A judge has the authority to decide that the child live primarily with the mother or with the father based on what is determined to be in the “best interest of the child.” Here are a few practical tips involving…
Even in the most amicable of divorces, children suddenly find themselves facing a lot of change: dealing with new living arrangements, spending less time with their parents or siblings, and sometimes even attending new schools. Divorce is never easy for anyone. But there are things you can do to try to minimize the impact divorce…
Connecticut Parental Alienation Syndrome (PAS) is an increasingly familiar term, especially in contentious child-custody disputes, and its effects can be very damaging to children, families and targeted parents. Connecticut Parental Alienation Syndrome Forensic psychiatrist Dr. Richard A. Gardner first identified PAS in the 1980s. According to Dr. Gardner, there are three main characteristics of PAS:…
In troubled economic times relationship decisions take on a whole new light. Marriage and divorce are not always about being in love – now these decisions are also about financial consequences. Many couples contemplating marriage are taking financial precautions to protect their assets in case the marriage doesn’t work out. Prenuptials are one of the…
The Family Support Magistrate Courts in Connecticut hear cases involving paternity, establishing the amount of child support, modifying the amount of child support (increase or decrease the current support order) and enforcing the payment of child support (contempt). Divorces and issues of visitation are not heard in Family Support Magistrate Court but rather in the…
Three Bethel siblings are petitioning state legislators in support of granting children over the age of 12 the right to meet with judges to discuss their wishes in a contested custody case. In Connecticut, the “informed” preferences of a child are already among the factors set forth CGS 46b-56(c) for judges to consider in making…
New scientific research from Brown University finds that divorce can be socially contagious. Researchers concluded that if a friend divorces, your chances of getting divorced jump by 75 percent. According to the British Daily Mail newspaper, researchers found an effect they describe as “divorce clustering” among groups of friends. Once a couple within a friendship…
Legislation which would require the Department of Children and Families (DCF) and the Department of Agriculture to cross-report animal cruelty and child abuse is is being reintroduced. The bill failed to pass earlier this year. Research has shown that there exists a connection between those who abuse animals and those who abuse children. The purpose…