Divorce in Connecticut proceeds as a civil action filed in the Superior Court's Family Division, with equitable distribution governing how marital property is divided. Because Connecticut rejects the community property model, courts examine factors including the length of the marriage, each spouse's earning capacity, contributions to the marital estate, and conduct during the marriage — giving judges wide latitude to craft outcomes that diverge significantly from a simple 50/50 split. In Fairfield County divorces involving hedge fund partners, deferred compensation, or restricted stock units, accurate valuation of financial assets is often the central battleground.

Connecticut requires a 90-day waiting period after the divorce complaint is served before a hearing can occur, though uncontested divorces can move through on a relatively efficient track. The state recognizes both fault and no-fault grounds; no-fault requires only an allegation that the marriage has broken down irretrievably. Alimony determinations weigh the same equitable factors as property division, and Connecticut courts can award both temporary and permanent alimony depending on the circumstances.