Divorce

A divorce complaint can be filed in Connecticut at any time after either spouse establishes residency in Connecticut.¹ However, a divorce can only be granted if one of the following are true:

1. Either spouse has had residency in Connecticut for at least 12 months before:
   • the divorce was filed; or
   • the date of the divorce decree – in other words, you can file for the divorce before 12 months of residency but the judge will not grant the final divorce until the 12 months of residency are completed;
2. Either spouse was domiciled in Connecticut at the time of the marriage and returned to Connecticut with the intent to live there permanently before filing for divorce;² Note: “Domicile” requires actual residence plus the intention of permanently remaining in the state;³ or
3. The reason (ground) you are seeking a divorce happened after you or your spouse moved into Connecticut.² Note: Although the law doesn’t mention anything about 12 months of residency here, the majority of judges will still require completion of 12 months’ residency before granting the divorce.

A member of the armed forces will be considered a resident of Connecticut for the length of his/her service if s/he was a resident of Connecticut before entering into the military.⁴

¹ C.G.S. § 46b-44(a); see also Jungnelius v. Jungnelius, 133 Conn. App. 250 (2012)
² C.G.S. § 46b-44(c)
³ See Mills v. Mills, 119 Conn. 612 (Supr. Ct 1935)
⁴ C.G.S. § 46b-44(d)