Alimony and Spousal Support in Connecticut
How Connecticut decides spousal support (alimony), the factors courts weigh, and how marital property is divided.
Short answer: The court may order either spouse to pay alimony, in addition to or instead of a property award. In deciding whether to award it and its amount and length, the court considers the length of the marriage, the causes of the breakdown, each spouse's age, health, station, occupation, income… Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46b-82
| Alimony (spousal support) | The court may order either spouse to pay alimony, in addition to or instead of a property award. In deciding whether to award it and its amount and length, the court considers the length of the marriage, the causes of the breakdown, each spouse's age, health, station, occupation, income, earning capacity, skills, education, employability, estate and needs, the property award, and for a custodial parent, whether it is practical for them to work. If an order after trial lasts until death or remarriage, the court must explain the basis in detail. The statute does not set a formula. Source: Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46b-82 |
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| Dividing property | Connecticut uses equitable distribution. When entering a divorce, annulment or legal separation decree, the court may assign to either spouse all or part of the other spouse's estate, and can transfer or order the sale of real property. It considers the length of the marriage, the causes of the breakdown, each spouse's age, health, station, occupation, income, earning capacity, skills, education, employability, estate, liabilities and needs, their opportunity to acquire future assets, and each spouse's contribution to acquiring, preserving or increasing the value of their estates. The statute does not separate marital from separate property; the court may assign any part of either spouse's estate. Source: Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46b-81 |
Where to get help in Connecticut
More Connecticut divorce & family law
- Getting a Marriage License in Connecticut
- Adopting a Child in Connecticut
- Guardianship of a Child or Adult in Connecticut
- Establishing Paternity in Connecticut
- Changing Your Name in Connecticut
- Child Custody Laws in Connecticut
- How Child Support Is Calculated in Connecticut
- Divorce Records in Connecticut
- How to File for Divorce in Connecticut
- Legal Separation and Annulment in Connecticut
- All Connecticut divorce & family law rules
FAQ
How is alimony decided in Connecticut?
The court may order either spouse to pay alimony, in addition to or instead of a property award. In deciding whether to award it and its amount and length, the court considers the length of the marriage, the causes of the breakdown, each spouse's age, health, station, occupation, income, earning capacity, skills, education, employability, estate and needs, the property award, and for a custodial parent, whether it is practical for them to work. If an order after trial lasts until death or remarriage, the court must explain the basis in detail. The statute does not set a formula.
Is Connecticut a community property state?
Connecticut uses equitable distribution. When entering a divorce, annulment or legal separation decree, the court may assign to either spouse all or part of the other spouse's estate, and can transfer or order the sale of real property. It considers the length of the marriage, the causes of the breakdown, each spouse's age, health, station, occupation, income, earning capacity, skills, education, employability, estate, liabilities and needs, their opportunity to acquire future assets, and each spouse's contribution to acquiring, preserving or increasing the value of their estates.
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.