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.

Our Office
- Fiorentino, Howard & Petrone, P.C.
  
  773 Main Street
  
  Manchester, CT 06040
  Phone: 860.643.1136
We are open Monday thru Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Appointments and other hours are available upon request. We accept all major credit cards.
Testimonials
- I want to thank you very much for the exceptional legal representation you provided for me. Not only was your knowledge of the law impressive but your consideration for me as… read more
- We would like to extend our sincere gratitude for legal services provided by Jim Howard and the law firm of Fiorentino, Howard & Petrone, P.C. The complex civil case we… read more
- I just wanted to drop you a line thanking you and your team for help with my recent accident. The counsel you provided me was fabulous and never worried about… read more
- Just a quick note to thank you for the years of exceptional legal services that you provided for both of our individual companies. When we needed valuable legal advice, both… read more
- Now that our legal matters are behind us we wish to extend a sincere and heartfelt thank you to you and your firm for a job well done! When you… read more
- We want to thank you for all of the help you have given us throughout the past few years. Doing business from California could have been very difficult, but you… read more
Testimonials

I want to thank you very much for the exceptional legal representation you provided for me. Not only was your knowledge of the law impressive but your consideration for me as a person was exceptional. Your counsel successfully brought me through a difficult family situation both legally and personally. I appreciated your honest, thoughtful, straight forward approach. You were very responsive to all of my questions and concerns with excellent advice that resulted in a positive outcome. Sincerely, Joan P.
We would like to extend our sincere gratitude for legal services provided by Jim Howard and the law firm of Fiorentino, Howard & Petrone, P.C. The complex civil case we found ourselves tangled in was very stressful and unsettling to say the least. Mr. Howards drive, commitment and dedication to our case was evident from the start which helped ease the stress involved in our dispute. Since then, we have found ourselves in need of legal services for several other issues and each time we were more than confident with the representation we received. You and your firm have created satisfied clients and I would like to endorse your services to anyone looking for representation from a true master of the profession. –Ken S.
I just wanted to drop you a line thanking you and your team for help with my recent accident. The counsel you provided me was fabulous and never worried about outcome. I knew you would pull through for me. Thanks again.-Mike C.
Just a quick note to thank you for the years of exceptional legal services that you provided for both of our individual companies. When we needed valuable legal advice, both professional and personal we knew that we could depend on your discretion in all matters. Again, thank you and your firm for your professional services. Bill and Jeanne R.
Now that our legal matters are behind us we wish to extend a sincere and heartfelt thank you to you and your firm for a job well done! When you believe you are right but get caught-up in a legal quagmire the hardest thing is finding a lawyer/firm that listens to you and then proceeds to represent you in a fair and honest manner. I have learned that when you want the best you ask other successful professionals who they would go to if they were in my position. The common denominator that I saw immediately was quite obvious. Your name appeared on all three lists that I received from my respected professional friends. Just like when looking for a great medical specialist - I ask my Dr. "who would you go to?" We could not have received better representation. Many thanks. Craig H.
We want to thank you for all of the help you have given us throughout the past few years. Doing business from California could have been very difficult, but you helped to make it easy. You always responded quickly and took care of any problems that arose. This was a tremendous help for us and we are sincerely appreciative. Dennis and Carol B.
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