How Long a Connecticut Divorce Takes Now That the 90-Day Wait Is Gone

For years, Connecticut couples heard the same thing at the start of a divorce: nothing final can happen for at least 90 days. That rule shaped expectations, schedules, and even settlement strategy.

It no longer applies. A 2023 change to Connecticut law removed the automatic 90-day waiting period, and the new framework gives couples who agree on terms a faster route to a final decree. For contested cases, though, the calendar still depends on far more than a single statute.

What the Old Rule Did

Under the prior version of Connecticut General Statutes § 46b-67, a court generally could not hear a dissolution case or enter a final judgment until 90 days after the return date on the complaint.

The idea was to give spouses time to reconsider, gather financial information, and avoid rushed agreements. In practice, it set a floor that even fully settled cases had to wait out. Couples who had negotiated every detail before filing still found themselves marking time for three months, often while paying for two households.

What Changed

Public Act 23-46 rewrote § 46b-67, effective October 1, 2023. The text of the current statute appears in Chapter 815j of the Connecticut General Statutes.

Couples who have reached a complete agreement can now ask the court to approve it without waiting out the old 90-day window. That makes a meaningful difference for spouses who separated amicably and simply want to finalize the paperwork.

For people weighing their options, a conversation with a Rich Rochlin Law divorce attorney in West Hartford can help clarify whether a case is likely to qualify for that quicker path or will need the standard process.

Requirements That Still Shape the Timeline

Removing the waiting period did not remove other requirements. Several still affect how fast a case can finish:

• Residency. A decree generally requires that one spouse has lived in Connecticut for at least 12 months, with limited exceptions.
• Financial affidavits. Both spouses must file sworn statements of income, expenses, assets, and debts.
• Parenting education. Parents of minor children are generally required to complete a court-approved parenting education program.
• Court scheduling. Busy dockets can still add weeks between filing and a hearing date.

The Nonadversarial Option

Connecticut also offers a nonadversarial dissolution for couples who meet strict criteria. These include a marriage of nine years or less, no children, no real estate, and combined assets below a set threshold.

Couples on this track file a joint petition, sworn financial affidavits, and any settlement agreement together. The court assigns a disposition date at least 30 days later, and if everything is in order, a decree can be entered without a hearing.

Contested Cases Move at Their Own Pace

When spouses disagree about custody, alimony, or how to divide property, the absence of a 90-day wait does not speed things up much. These cases involve discovery, possible custody evaluations, settlement conferences, and sometimes trial.

A contested Connecticut divorce can still take many months, and cases involving business valuations or relocation disputes can run well past a year. The pace usually depends on how complicated the finances are and how willing each side is to negotiate.

Property division is often the most time-consuming piece. Lawsuit Zone’s overview of how property and financial assets are divided during divorce explains the factors courts generally weigh, which can help set realistic expectations.

Temporary Orders Still Matter

While a case is pending, either spouse can request temporary orders for custody, support, or use of the family home. These orders, known in Connecticut as pendente lite orders, can provide stability during a longer process.

They also often influence the final outcome, because judges and parties tend to build on arrangements that have already been tested in daily life. A parenting schedule that works well for months may become the starting point for the permanent arrangement.

A Faster Route for Some, Not All

The 2023 change gave cooperative couples a clearer path to a quicker decree. It did not change the work involved in sorting out finances, children, and property when spouses disagree.

Understanding which category a case falls into is the most reliable way to estimate how long it will take. Agreement remains the biggest factor in speed.

See more: Contested Divorce Meaning What It Means in US Divorce 2026

This article provides general information about Connecticut divorce law and is not legal advice for any individual situation.