How Long Does Divorce Take in Connecticut

Connecticut offers three distinct divorce timelines—and choosing the right path can dramatically affect how quickly you finalize your case. Eligible couples can use the nonadversarial (simplified) process to divorce in as little as 30 days, while traditional uncontested cases take 60-120 days and contested divorces stretch to 9-18 months. Understanding Connecticut's 90-day waiting period (which can be waived in agreed cases) and the state's 12-month residency requirement will help you plan your path forward.

Connecticut's Three Timeline Tracks

Connecticut divorce timelines vary dramatically based on your case type and eligibility:

• Nonadversarial (simplified) divorce: 30-40 days for couples who meet strict eligibility criteria (married ≤8 years, no children, combined assets <$80,000, no real property).
• Standard uncontested divorce: 60-120 days when both parties agree on all terms—the 90-day statutory waiting period can be waived by the court for fully agreed cases.
• Contested divorce: Typically 9-18 months when spouses cannot agree on custody, property, or support, though complex cases may take longer.

Which track you follow depends on your eligibility, level of agreement, and whether you have minor children requiring parenting education and support calculations.

Nonadversarial Divorce: Connecticut's 30-Day Fast Track

Connecticut's nonadversarial (simplified) divorce process—authorized by CGS §§ 46b-44a through 46b-44c—is the fastest path to finalization. If you qualify, the court assigns a "disposition date" at least 30 days after filing, and your decree can enter without any hearing.

Strict eligibility requirements include:

• Marriage of 9 years or less at the time of filing
• No minor or adopted children born during the marriage, and neither party is pregnant
• Total combined net fair market value of all property under $80,000
• Neither party has a defined-benefit pension plan
• No real property owned (no house, condo, or land)
• No active restraining or protective order between the spouses
• Neither party is in bankruptcy proceedings
• Both parties meet the 12-month residency requirement

You file a Joint Petition (JD-FM-242) and related forms, and—if all criteria are met and the settlement is fair—the court enters the decree on or within five days of the disposition date. Either party can revoke the nonadversarial track before judgment and move the case to the regular family docket.

The 90-Day Waiting Period and Waiver Option

By statute, CGS § 46b-67 sets a 90-day minimum for contested divorce trials (measured from the return date). This "cooling-off" period gives couples time to attempt settlement and complete required steps like financial disclosures and parenting education.

However, if you and your spouse reach a full settlement agreement on all issues—custody, property, and support—you can request the court waive the 90-day period and approve your final agreement sooner. Many uncontested divorces finalize within 60-120 days once the automatic orders' deadlines are met and all required forms are submitted.

The waiver does not apply to the nonadversarial track, which has its own 30-day minimum disposition date. Default divorces (where the defendant never appears) also follow different timing rules: at least 30 days from the return date for personal service, or a hearing at least 60 days from the return date for other service methods.

Standard Uncontested Divorce Timeline: 60-120 Days

When you and your spouse agree on all terms but don't qualify for the nonadversarial process, a standard uncontested divorce typically takes 60 to 120 days from filing to final decree. The key milestones are:

1. Day 0: File your Summons (JD-FM-3), Complaint (JD-FM-159), and Notice of Automatic Court Orders (JD-FM-158) in Connecticut Superior Court and pay the $360 filing fee.
2. Day 1+: Your spouse can sign a notarized Certification of Waiver of Service (JD-FM-249) and file an Appearance (JD-CL-12), avoiding the cost of state marshal service (~$50 plus mileage).
3. Day 30 (return date): Both parties must exchange sworn Financial Affidavits (JD-FM-6) within 30 days of the return date, as required by the automatic orders.
4. Day 60 (if children): If you have minor children, both parents must enroll and complete the Parenting Education Program within 60 days of the return date (maximum fee $200 per person, waivable for indigent participants per CGS § 46b-69b).
5. Day 60-120+: Submit your settlement agreement (JD-FM-172) and request approval without a court appearance using JD-FM-281 and JD-FM-282. If you have children, also file JD-FM-164 (Affidavit Concerning Children), CCSG-1 (Child Support Guidelines Worksheet), and JD-FM-71 (Advisement of Rights). The court reviews and enters judgment without a hearing.

Practical timelines depend on how quickly you complete parenting education, finalize your settlement, and submit all required documents. Connecticut's Superior Court provides a remote approval process that eliminates the need for a live hearing in fully agreed cases.

Contested Divorce Timeline: 9-18 Months

When spouses cannot agree on custody, support, or property division, Connecticut divorces move through a more extensive process. Contested divorces typically take 9 to 18 months (sometimes longer in high-conflict or high-asset cases), depending on court backlogs, discovery needs, and settlement efforts.

The contested process includes:

• Filing and Service (Weeks 1-4): File your complaint and serve your spouse (or accept waiver of service). Your spouse has until 30 days after the return date to file an Appearance.
• Automatic Orders and Initial Deadlines (Month 1): Automatic orders take effect immediately upon service, restricting asset transfers and requiring financial disclosure exchanges within 30 days of the return date.
• Temporary (Pendente Lite) Orders (Months 1-3): Either party can request temporary orders for custody, support, alimony, or exclusive use of the residence using JD-FM-176, based on statutory factors in CGS §§ 46b-82 and 46b-84.
• Discovery and Family Services (Months 2-8): Exchange financial documents, tax returns, and property records under Connecticut Practice Book § 25-31. The court will typically refer custody disputes to free Family Services mediation; judges strongly encourage ADR to narrow issues.
• Settlement Conferences and Mediation (Months 3-12): Courts offer free court-connected Family Services or you may use private mediation or collaborative divorce (JD-FM-278). Most cases settle before trial.
• Trial (Months 6-18+): If no settlement is reached, the court schedules a pretrial and ultimately a trial—which cannot begin earlier than 90 days after the return date per § 46b-67. The judge enters detailed orders covering custody, child support (with a mandatory CCSG-1 worksheet attached), property division under equitable distribution (§ 46b-81), and any alimony (§ 46b-82).

Pre-Filing Requirements: 12-Month Residency

Before the court can grant a final divorce decree in Connecticut, one spouse typically must have been a Connecticut resident for the 12 months immediately preceding either the filing date or the date of the final decree. CGS § 46b-44 provides exceptions where the cause for divorce arose after a move into Connecticut or where a spouse was domiciled in CT at the time of marriage and returned intending to remain.

There is no minimum "days-in-state" requirement to file the initial complaint—you can file once either party establishes residence in Connecticut. However, in most cases, you will need to satisfy the 12-month residency rule before the court can enter the final decree.

You file in the Connecticut Superior Court, Family Division, in the Judicial District where either spouse resides (CGS § 46b-45). Connecticut has 13 judicial districts; the clerk will assign your case to the appropriate Family Division based on where you or your spouse live.

Estimate Your Connecticut Divorce Costs

Understanding your timeline is essential—but so is planning for the financial impact. Use our free calculator below to estimate filing fees, service costs, parenting education expenses, and potential attorney's fees based on your specific situation.

Planning Your Connecticut Divorce Timeline

Connecticut's three-tier timeline system—30 days for nonadversarial, 60-120 days for uncontested, and 9-18 months for contested—makes it crucial to understand which track applies to your situation. If you qualify for the nonadversarial process and both parties agree, Connecticut offers one of the fastest divorce paths in the country. If not, a standard uncontested divorce with a 90-day waiver can still finalize in 2-4 months with proper preparation.

The key to an efficient Connecticut divorce? Thorough preparation and compliance with automatic orders. Exchange financial affidavits within 30 days of the return date, complete parenting education within 60 days if you have children, and work toward settlement wherever possible. For complete filing instructions and required forms, see our Connecticut divorce filing checklist. Every issue you resolve outside the courtroom saves both time and money—and helps you move forward sooner.