Divorce & Legal Separation
Representation through Connecticut divorce and legal separation, contested or uncontested, from a boutique Milford office serving Fairfield County and the New Haven shoreline.
Representation through Connecticut divorce and legal separation, contested or uncontested, from a boutique Milford office serving Fairfield County and the New Haven shoreline. Attorney Tara J. Galbo has more than 25 years representing Connecticut clients in divorce & legal separation matters from the firm's Milford office at 88 High Street.
Divorce in Connecticut follows a defined statutory path: filing a complaint, a 90-day waiting period from the return date, exchange of sworn financial affidavits, resolution of custody and support if children are involved, and a final judgment by agreement or after trial.
Galbo Family Law represents clients through each stage with the same preparation whether the case ultimately settles or goes to hearing. Strong preparation on day one is what makes a quiet settlement possible later.
What this practice handles
- Contested and uncontested dissolutions
- Legal separations and annulments
- Equitable distribution and asset valuation
- Alimony and spousal support
- Pendente lite (temporary) orders
- Post-judgment modifications
Divorce & Legal Separation in Connecticut, step by step
File the complaint
Counsel files a Complaint for Dissolution in the proper Judicial District and arranges service of process. The case is given a return date.
Authority: C.G.S. § 46b-45
90-day waiting period
Connecticut requires at least 90 days from the return date before a final judgment can enter. Pendente lite orders may issue in the interim.
Authority: C.G.S. § 46b-67
Financial disclosure
Both spouses file sworn financial affidavits. In high-asset matters, formal discovery, business valuation, and forensic accounting often follow.
Authority: Practice Book § 25-30
Custody & support (if children)
Parenting plans are negotiated or, if contested, decided under the best-interest standard. Child support follows the CT Guidelines unless deviation is justified.
Authority: C.G.S. § 46b-56
Resolution
Most matters resolve by separation agreement reviewed at an uncontested hearing. Contested matters proceed to a limited or full trial.
Cost and timeline, honestly
Both spouses agreed on terms; counsel drafts and finalizes paperwork.
Standard contested matters resolved by settlement after discovery.
Trial, complex assets, or contested custody. Quoted after assessment.
- Whether custody is contested
- Whether either party owns a business
- Whether discovery uncovers undisclosed assets
- Court calendar in the assigned Judicial District
- Willingness of both sides to negotiate in good faith
Estimates only, every matter is priced after a paid consultation.
Where these matters are typically heard
Related insights on divorce & legal separation
Filing for Divorce in Connecticut: What to Expect
An overview of the Connecticut divorce process, from the initial complaint through the final decree, including timelines and required disclosures.
Working with a Divorce Attorney in Milford, Connecticut
What to consider when retaining counsel for a Connecticut divorce, and how representation in Milford and the surrounding shoreline differs in practice.
Connecticut Alimony: How It's Actually Calculated
Connecticut has no fixed alimony formula. Here is how courts weigh the statutory factors, and why online calculators are unreliable.
Divorce & Legal Separation: FAQ
What's the right next step?
Pick the door that matches where you are right now. None of these commit you to anything.
Attorney-reviewed by Tara J. Galbo, Galbo Family Law, LLC · Last reviewed June 2026. This page is general legal information about Connecticut family law and is not legal advice for any specific situation.