
Stamford Family Attorney
Family law can be one of the most difficult areas a person can face. The outcome not only affects your future, but the futures of the ones you love. When faced with such a severe outcome, you need a strong legal advocate. A Stamford family lawyer can help you navigate the various complexities of your unique case.
Hire a Family Lawyer in Stamford That Connecticut Locals Trust
With over 136 years of combined professional experience, the partners at Reich & Truax, PLLC, have dedicated their lives to helping those who require it most. As longtime Connecticut residents, we work tirelessly to protect the legal rights of our neighbors and community members.
When new clients come into our Southport office, they’re greeted with empathy at the first handshake. They’ll have the opportunity to explain the details of their situation and desired outcome for their case. From there, our attorneys can offer transparent legal advice, so our clients can make informed decisions regarding their futures.
Divorce Laws in Connecticut
Divorce is common in the United States. An average of 12,259 Stamford residents were divorced in 2023. Even though it may feel like it, it’s important to remember that you aren’t alone. Researching the steps of a divorce can help you maintain control over your situation. A divorce in Connecticut can be pursued if certain residency conditions are met. This includes:
- If one spouse has lived in Connecticut for at least 12 months before filing the case or before the court issues the final order
- If one spouse lived in Connecticut when the couple got married and later moved back, planning to stay for good
- If the reason for the divorce occurred after either spouse moved to Connecticut
After the case is filed at the Stamford/Norwalk Courthouse, located at 123 Hoyt Street, you and your spouse will be able to talk through various divorce issues, such as:
- Division of property. The average home value in Stamford in 2023 was $614,300. This tends to be a couple’s most valuable asset and can lead to contention during legal proceedings.
- Alimony. The average Stamford household income was $107,474 in 2023, making the protection of this high-value asset vital.
- Child support
- Child custody
Be sure to hire a family lawyer during this time. The team at Reich & Truax, PLLC, has years of experience in similar cases. We know that no two cases are the same and provide every new client with a custom-fit legal strategy.
How Connecticut Courts Decide Child Custody
Connecticut courts can give both parents joint custody or award custody to one parent or another person if it’s in the child’s best interests. The court can also grant visitation rights to other people, such as grandparents, when appropriate.
To decide what custody option is in the child’s best interests, the court looks at several factors. These include:
- The child’s safety, emotional well-being, needs, and preferences
- The relationship the child has with each parent and other important people
- Each parent’s ability to care for and support the child
- How willing each parent is to encourage a healthy relationship between the child and the other parent
- Whether there has been domestic violence or manipulation
- How stable each parent’s home and lifestyle is
- The child’s adjustment to school and community
- The mental and physical health of everyone involved
- The family’s cultural background
The Benefits of Mediation in a Family Law Case
Mediation is a way to resolve a family law case without going to trial. This option is designed to be quicker, less formal, and less expensive than court. Mediation is also private and confidential, compared to a public trial.
A neutral third-party, called a mediator, oversees mediation sessions. Both parties and their lawyers discuss their issues to reach an agreement during these sessions. The mediator helps both sides communicate in a healthy manner.
Doing so can help ensure a healthy relationship between the parties in the future, which is especially helpful for parents in child custody cases. Sometimes issues can’t be fully solved through mediation. When this happens, the case will proceed to trial, where a judge has the final say. Mediation helps couples retain control over the outcome.
FAQs About Stamford, CT Family Laws
When deciding how to divide property, the court looks at many factors. These include the length of the marriage and the age and health of each spouse. The court also considers each spouse’s income and earning capacity. It looks at each person’s property and debts, as well as their financial needs. Finally, the court considers each spouse’s contributions to the marriage.
When setting child support, the court considers the parents’ and child’s age, health, education, income, skills, employment potential, property, and financial needs. Both parents must help support their minor child, each according to what they can afford. If a child is 18 but still in high school full-time, the parents must continue providing support until the child graduates or turns 19, whichever comes first.
A parenting plan is a plan filed by both parents with the court during a child custody case. This plan explains how they’ll care for the child. It must include a schedule showing where the child will live throughout the year, how decisions regarding their child will be made, how the parents will handle situations when one doesn’t follow the plan, and how the plan will change as the child grows.
When deciding whether to award alimony, and for how long or how much, the court reviews all the evidence and considers several factors. These include the length of the marriage, the reason for the divorce, and each spouse’s age, health, education, and job skills. If one spouse has custody of minor children, the court considers whether it is reasonable or necessary for that parent to seek outside employment.
Choose an Experienced Family Lawyer From Reich & Truax, PLLC
When you work with Reich & Truax, PLLC, you’re working with a team of Connecticut residents who care deeply about protecting the legal rights of their neighbors and community. Reach out to our Southport office today to set up your confidential consultation. When you come in to meet one of our attorneys, they’ll be able to give you the tools you need to take back control of your life.