The Connecticut Family courts just took a another step towards reopening while taking a giant step backward at the same time. The Connecticut Family court is now allowing Family Court Agreements to be filed and handled remotely without the need to be in-person at court. The operative word is “Agreements”.
There is now in place a strict format to use when filing agreements in family court. The steps needed to take to have the court accept and enter orders on family court agreements is necessary to allow the courts to act without parties in-person in court. Normally each party to an agreement has to be in-person to respond on the record to a set of questions that are used to be certain the party understands what is taking place, is agreeing to the agreement voluntarily, and wants the court to enter the agreement as an order. This is known as being voire dired and is a very important part of the judicial process. Shelton attorney Jerome N. Goldstein can both help you reach your agreements through negotiations and properly file your agreements with the court.
Countering the good news on agreement is that the Connecticut Family court also just cancelled all Family Court hearings and trials scheduled in May and June unless it is a remote hearing (Agreements) or an emergency matter as previously allowed. Emergency matters include restraining orders and similar.
So there is a light at the end of the tunnel with a potential July reopening date of Connecticut’s Family Court. Nothing is certain or being stated by the court. The July reopening date is just supposition and things may always change. We remain hopeful the Connecticut Family court will continue to move toward reopening.
If you are suffering from a failed marriage we can help even before the court reopens fully. Filing a divorce in Connecticut means there is a 90 day waiting period after the Return Date passes before a final decree of divorce may occur. We recommend getting a jump on that waiting period and start your divorce now. Having an open case with the court will allow you to seek temporary orders of Child Support, Alimony, Exclusive Use of the Marital Residence, and more when the court starts handling argumented matters. If we can work out an agreement on these issues we can get you court orders now too. Most importantly is that the court can only order retroactive support or alimony from the date you file your motion to receive these. Not having your case open with the court means you will just wait.
If there is anything Jerome N. Goldstein, Attorney at Law can do to help you with your legal matters please call us at 203-929-7773 or request a consultation. We are working remotely and are offering telephone consultations along with video conferencing. We have payment plans and remote billing. We are here to serve your legal needs.
Please continue to stay safe, well, and continue to use social distancing.