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Last Modified on Oct 06, 2025
If you are considering divorce in Connecticut, you may be asking yourself, “How long do you have to be married in Connecticut to get spousal support?” While many spouses believe there is a minimum duration a marriage must last for alimony to be considered, this is not the case in Connecticut. Connecticut doesn’t focus primarily on the duration of a marriage when considering alimony, but on several factors.
About Reich & Truax, PLLC
In Westport, at Reich & Truax, PLLC, our family law attorneys handle all issues related to divorce, separation, spousal support, property division, child custody, and visitation. If your case is in front of the Norwalk/Westport Judicial District Courthouse or is settled in negotiations outside of court, you will have an experienced and knowledgeable advocate on your side. We utilize our years of experience to bring you the knowledge and care that your case deserves.
Understanding Spousal Support in Connecticut
Spousal support, also known as alimony, is when one spouse pays the other some money during and after a divorce. The purpose is to maintain a standard of living that’s comparable to the one during the marriage.
Connecticut has a unique set of Connecticut spousal support laws. Judges are given great discretion in awarding support. They’ll look at each spouse’s financial circumstances, contributions to the marriage, and more. Alimony is not calculated like child support. It’s determined on a case-by-case basis.
There is no formula, nor is there a specific length of time you must be married to receive spousal support. However, the length of the marriage may be one factor taken into consideration when determining whether alimony is appropriate and by how much. Alimony laws are outlined in Conn. Gen. Stat. Ann. § 46b-83 and § 46b-82.
Factors Considered When Determining Alimony
In 2021, the national divorce rate was 6.9 per 1,000 women. In Connecticut, the rate was 2.6, and the marriage rate was 6.2.
While there is no time frame that a couple must be married for one to receive spousal support, this is one of the many factors taken into consideration when determining alimony. For instance, if a couple was married for many decades, it may be more likely that one spouse would receive alimony, as there is a decreased likelihood of the lesser-paying spouse being able to re-enter the workforce. Other considerations include:
- The health of each spouse
- The age of each spouse
- Each person’s ability to be self-sufficient
- Contributions to the marriage
- One spouse’s contributions to the other’s career
- The lower-earning spouse’s contributions to the home
- The standard of living before the divorce
- Each partner’s financial needs
- The cause of divorce, particularly if there was mistreatment, wrongdoing, fault, or misconduct involved
These factors give judges the discretion to award an alimony settlement that they feel is fair, instead of adhering to a set formula. A permanent alimony settlement may be more likely in the case of a long-term marriage where one spouse has sacrificed opportunities to support their family, for instance.
On the other hand, marriages of short duration may lead to rehabilitative or temporary support payments, providing the lower-earning spouse the opportunity to build financial independence.
Types of Spousal Support in Connecticut
Connecticut courts recognize different forms of spousal support or alimony. The first type is temporary or pendente lite alimony, paid during the pendency of a divorce action. Temporary alimony can be helpful for the dependent spouse to meet necessary living expenses while waiting for a divorce to be finalized.
The second type of spousal support is rehabilitative in nature. It is short-term support paid to a dependent spouse to allow for the acquisition of additional skills or education to help become self-sufficient.
Permanent alimony is awarded in fewer spousal support cases today than it was in the past. However, in a long-term marriage where the dependent spouse cannot reasonably become self-sufficient, permanent alimony may still be an option.
Connecticut judges have discretion to award spousal support in any marriage, and there is no set period of marriage that is required before support is ordered. With that in mind, however, short-term marriages typically do not result in spousal support. Medium-length marriages can result in short-term or temporary support.
Finally, permanent alimony is more common in long-term marriages of over twenty years, but other factors are also taken into consideration.
FAQs
How Long Do You Have to Be Married in Connecticut to Receive Alimony?
There is no set amount of time to be married in Connecticut to receive alimony, although courts may take this into consideration when making a determination. Generally, short-term marriages do not usually result in spousal support, while long-term marriages are more likely to receive it. The courts will look at other factors, such as each spouse’s financial need and contributions to the marriage, among other things.
Can You Get Spousal Support After Three Years of Marriage?
Yes, it is possible to get spousal support after three years of marriage, but when it is received, it is typically temporary or rehabilitative. The court will look at financial need, earning capacity, and contribution to the marriage, as opposed to the duration of the marriage alone. Alimony provides financial stability to a spouse earning less when transitioning to a single income after a short-term marriage.
How Much Is a Wife Entitled to in a Divorce in Connecticut?
Connecticut has no set alimony guidelines and makes no guarantee as to a set amount or percentage. Spousal support determinations are made on a case-by-case basis, looking at each spouse’s income and the standard of living established during the marriage, as well as the length of the marriage and each spouse’s contributions to the marriage.
Can Alimony Be Modified?
Yes, in Connecticut, alimony can be modified if there has been a significant change in circumstances since the original order was made. This might include a substantial increase or decrease in income, a change in employment, health issues, or remarriage of the recipient spouse. The courts will review the new circumstances and decide if the alimony order should be increased, decreased, or stopped temporarily or permanently.
Hire a Spousal Support Lawyer at Reich & Truax, PLLC Today
If you are going through a divorce, hire a spousal support lawyer at Reich & Truax, PLLC today to begin securing your financial future. A spousal support attorney can help you in the legal process and fight for your future. Contact us today to get started.
