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…
More than 2.5 million reports of child abuse and neglect are made every year in the United States. Abuse denies a child the opportunity to live an emotionally and physically healthy life – and has become a national issue. In California, more often than not, it becomes the dark reality of tabloid news. In…
A recent study shows the number of children in foster case nationwide has declined. In Connecticut this is likely the result of DCF offering services to parents to prevent out of home placement. The length of time in time in foster care is also the result of the Juvenile and Probate Courts expediting termination of…
Connecticut has allocated 1.75 million to allow Connecticut domestic violence shelters to stay open 24 hours per day. Connecticut was one of only five states that did not provide for shelters to be open around the clock. There is also a pilot program in courts in Bridgeport, Danielson and Hartford that will track family…
http://parenting.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/07/28/an-end-to-gay-adoption Connecticut allows for same sex couples to adopt children. However, this was not always the case. Prior to 2000 Connecticut prohibited same sex couples from adopting. In 2000, Puiblic Act 00-228 “An Act Concerning the Best Interest of Child in Adoption Matters” was passed. This Act authorized a single parent of a child to…