How to Get a Quick Divorce in Connecticut: A Guide to the Fastest Path

When a marriage ends, it's natural to want the legal process to be as swift and painless as possible. Many people find themselves searching for the fastest way to get divorced, hoping to move forward with their lives without a long, drawn-out court battle. If you're wondering how to get a quick divorce in Connecticut, you're in the right place. The good news is that Connecticut provides a specific, streamlined process for couples who meet certain criteria. The bad news is that not everyone qualifies.

This guide will provide a definitive answer to the question of a 'quick divorce' in CT. We will explain the only official, expedited legal pathway available: the Nonadversarial Divorce. We will break down:

• What a Nonadversarial Divorce is under Connecticut law.
• The strict, mandatory eligibility requirements you must meet under C.G.S. § 46b-44a.
• The step-by-step process, from filing the joint petition to the final decree.
• Why this is the fastest way to finalize a divorce, often in as little as 35-40 days, by bypassing the standard 90-day waiting period.
• The role of Automatic Orders under Practice Book § 25-5B.
• What happens if the court has questions about your agreement, as outlined in C.G.S. § 46b-44d.

The Legal Reality of a "Quick Divorce" in Connecticut

First, it's crucial to understand what "quick" means in a legal context. While some online services promise instant divorces, these are not legitimate in Connecticut. Every divorce must go through the Superior Court system and adhere to state laws. There are no legal shortcuts that bypass the court.

However, Connecticut law does provide a formal, expedited process designed for simple, amicable separations. This is the Nonadversarial Dissolution of Marriage, governed by Connecticut General Statutes (C.G.S.) § 46b-44a.

The Standard Divorce Timeline vs. The Quickest Path

To appreciate how fast the nonadversarial process is, you first need to understand the standard timeline. For most Connecticut divorces, there is a mandatory 90-day waiting period after the case's "return date" before a judge can grant the final decree (C.G.S. § 46b-67). This means that even if you and your spouse agree on everything on day one, you typically must wait about three months to be officially divorced.

The nonadversarial process bypasses this 90-day wait. Under C.G.S. § 46b-44c, the court sets a disposition date "not less than thirty days after" the joint petition is filed. This is the fastest legal path to a final divorce decree in the state.

Are You Eligible? The 10 Strict Requirements for a Nonadversarial Divorce

This accelerated path is not available to everyone. It is reserved for couples with the simplest, least complicated financial and family situations. To qualify, you and your spouse must both agree to file a joint petition and swear under oath that all of the following 10 conditions are true, as required by C.G.S. § 46b-44a(b):

1. Irretrievable Breakdown: The marriage has broken down irretrievably with no hope of reconciliation.
2. Short-Term Marriage: The marriage has not lasted more than nine (9) years.
3. No Children: Neither spouse is pregnant, and you have no children together (either born or adopted during the marriage).
4. No Real Estate: Neither you nor your spouse has any interest or title in real property (no house, condo, or land).
5. Limited Assets: The total value of all your property is less than $80,000. This includes everything: cars, bank accounts, furniture, etc., after subtracting any loans or liens against that property.
6. No Defined Benefit Pensions: Neither party has a traditional pension plan (a defined benefit plan). Standard 401(k)s or IRAs are generally acceptable as long as the total value of all assets remains under the limit.
7. No Pending Bankruptcy: Neither party has a pending petition for relief under the United States Bankruptcy Code.
8. No Other Divorce Actions: No other case for dissolution of marriage, legal separation, or annulment is pending.
9. No Restraining or Protective Orders: There are no active restraining orders (C.G.S. § 46b-15) or protective orders (C.G.S. § 46b-38c) between you and your spouse.
10. Residency: You must meet Connecticut's residency requirement (typically, one of you has lived in the state for at least 12 months).

If you cannot check every single one of these boxes, you do not qualify for the nonadversarial process. You must proceed with a standard divorce.

The Nonadversarial Divorce Process: Step-by-Step

If you meet all ten eligibility requirements, here is the streamlined process for the fastest divorce in Connecticut:

Step 1: Complete and Sign the Joint Petition & Agreement

Instead of a Summons and Complaint filed by one person against the other, you and your spouse complete and sign a single set of documents together:

• Joint Petition for Nonadversarial Divorce (Form JD-FM-242): By signing this, you both attest under oath that you meet all the legal requirements from § 46b-44a.
• Financial Affidavits (Form JD-FM-6-SHORT): Both parties must complete and exchange sworn financial statements.
• Agreement for Nonadversarial Divorce (Form JD-FM-243): This is your written settlement agreement, detailing how you will divide your limited assets and debts. You both must attest that the terms are fair and equitable.

Step 2: Automatic Orders Go Into Effect

The moment you file the joint petition, a set of Automatic Court Orders immediately applies to both of you, as required by Practice Book § 25-5B. These orders are designed to maintain financial stability and prevent either spouse from selling assets, taking on unreasonable debt, or changing insurance policies while the case is pending.

Step 3: File with the Court and Wait 30 Days

You file the complete, signed packet with the Superior Court clerk. You will pay the standard court filing fee at this time. The court will then schedule a "disposition date" that is at least 30 days after your filing date. This is the mandatory waiting period for this process.

Step 4: Final Judgment (Often Without a Hearing)

This is the key to the speed of the process. According to C.G.S. § 46b-44c(b), the court may enter the divorce decree on the disposition date without a hearing, as long as the judge reviews your paperwork and finds that your submitted agreement is fair and equitable.

If the judge has questions or cannot determine if your agreement is fair, the matter will be scheduled for a brief hearing (C.G.S. § 46b-44d). If, after the hearing, the judge is still not satisfied, the nonadversarial action will be terminated, and your case will be moved to the regular family docket. For a well-prepared case, however, it is common for the divorce to be finalized around the 35-day mark without you ever stepping inside a courtroom.

What If I Don't Qualify for a Quick Divorce?

If you have children, own a home, or have been married for more than nine years, you cannot get a "quick" divorce via the nonadversarial path. Your only option is a standard divorce, which has a mandatory 90-day waiting period (C.G.S. § 46b-67).

However, you can still make your standard divorce as fast as possible by pursuing an uncontested divorce. This means working with your spouse to reach a full settlement agreement on all issues before the 90-day waiting period is over. Once the waiting period has passed, you can present your agreement to the judge at a final hearing and have your divorce finalized much faster than if you were to engage in a lengthy court battle.

Conclusion: The Fastest Divorce is an Amicable One

When people search for how to get a quick divorce in CT, they are really searching for a way to minimize the pain, cost, and time involved in the legal process. The Connecticut Nonadversarial Divorce pathway (C.G.S. § 46b-44a) is the only legally defined shortcut, designed for the simplest of cases.

For everyone else, the speed of your divorce is directly in your hands. The fastest way to move forward is through cooperation and agreement. By focusing on resolving issues amicably and reaching a comprehensive settlement, you can navigate the standard divorce process efficiently and get to your next chapter without unnecessary delays. While there are no instant solutions, there is a clear path forward for every situation.