Go to main navigation
773 Main Street, Manchester, CT 06040
Free Consultation 860.643.1136 860.643.1136

Connecticut Family Lawyers Guide Clients Through Domestic Legal Concerns

Trusted Manchester lawyers handle separation, divorce, child custody and other issues

The end of a marriage creates difficult issues for everyone involved, with consequences that can last for a lifetime when the couple splitting up has children. That’s why it’s essential to seek experienced legal representation dedicated to your best interests now and in the future. In Manchester, Fiorentino, Howard & Petrone, P.C. provides Connecticut families facing divorce, custody, support and other family law challenges with knowledgeable counsel and strong advocacy. We will give you the personal attention and solution-driven representation you deserve in your family law matter.

Effective advocates help clients navigate divorce proceedings

Connecticut allows divorce on both fault and no-fault grounds, although no-fault divorce is more common.  A no-fault ground merely requires petitioners to declare that the marriage has irretrievably broken down, which means that spouses have no realistic chance of reconciling with each other. Fault grounds recognized in the state include adultery, intolerable cruelty and willful desertion. The divorce process usually takes at least four months, but may take longer in complicated or contested cases. Even couples that agree on all the issues are well advised to retain separate attorneys to ensure that their interests are protected. We have the experience and knowledge to help you regardless of how amicable or acrimonious your divorce proves to be.

Knowledgeable counselors assist with multiple family law issues

A number of complex issues can arise both during and after legal separation or divorce, including:

  • Asset and debt division — Connecticut follows an equitable distribution standard in which marital assets and debts are to be divided fairly though not necessarily equally. Assets acquired before marriage are usually considered separate property, not subject to division. We can help you reach a settlement or represent your interests in court to protect your property.
  • Alimony — Financial support may be ordered in certain cases to ensure one spouse is not unfairly disadvantaged by the divorce. Courts base alimony awards on a number of factors, including the length of the marriage, income, age, and health of the parties. We assist clients seeking spousal support as well as those ordered to pay it.
  • Child custody and visitation — When a couple has children, the court (or couple) must decide who has legal custody of each child — primary responsibility for raising the child — or whether custody will be shared. Parents can seek sole or joint physical custody, which determines where the child lives. The noncustodial parent will almost always have visitation rights (unless that parent is a danger to the children). Custody and visitation decisions are based on the best interests of the child.
  • Child support — Both parents, whether married or not, are responsible for financially supporting their children. Custody is most often paid by the noncustodial parent to the parent the child lives with. We assist clients seeking child support as well as those responsible for paying it.

We draw on our knowledge and experience to guide our clients through a resolution of all these important issues. We can also help if you need to enforce or modify a support or custody order when circumstances change significantly.

Contact our trusted Connecticut family law attorneys

If you are facing divorce or other family law issues, call Fiorentino, Howard & Petrone, P.C. at 860.643.1136 or contact the firm online to schedule an appointment at our office in Manchester. We are open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., but we can meet with you at other hours upon request.