Connecticut Low Cost Divorce Attorney

Is a Low-Cost Divorce Process Possible in Connecticut?

Yes, and there are two options: Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Process or the Divorce Mediation Process

In the State of Connecticut, an uncontested divorce or legal separation is a low-cost option available for couples who are looking for divorce or legal separation. For clarification, the process for obtaining a Legal Separation or Divorce in Connecticut is generally the same.   

The four options available in Connecticut for a divorce or legal separation are: 

  1. Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Process – Uncontested or Contested Divorce;
  2. Divorce Mediation Process – Uncontested Divorce or Amicable Divorce; (Important to mention that couples with no conflict, or low to high conflict, successfully complete an uncontested divorce)
  3. Collaborative Divorce Process, and lastly
  4. The traditional Divorce or Litigation Process.

This article addresses the low-cost options for Divorce in Connecticut, namely, Do It Yourself (DIY) Process and the Divorce Mediation Process. In the state of Connecticut, the least expensive or low-cost divorce option in terms of process for families who wish to separate, or divorce is an uncontested divorce. 

An uncontested divorce can be achieved in two ways: 

  1. Do It Yourself process. Or Pro-se representation.  A family can file for divorce by going to the Court in their jurisdiction and attending various court-appointed dates. The couple should go together to the Court in their jurisdiction and complete all the necessary legal documents for a divorce, utilizing the services of a family clerk. There is a filing fee of $ 360, and for certain families, they can petition the Court for a waiver of fees. And families with children will also have to attend a parenting education class. The family may be entitled to a waiver of the parenting education fee if they meet specific criteria and the Court approves it. Fortunately, in Connecticut, the family clerk will guide the couple through completing all the necessary forms at the lowest possible cost, which really includes only the required court fees.  “Pro se” in Latin means to represent oneself  “for oneself” or “on one’s own behalf”. Also known as a self-represented litigant in a divorce or in propria persona. 

The Connecticut judicial website provides information and instructions on how to achieve this: https://www.jud.ct.gov/family/pathwaysprocess.htm.

The Benefits of the do-it-yourself low-cost divorce process are:

  • Low-cost or no-cost divorce in Connecticut.   If you are entitled to fee waivers, the Judge can waive the fees, allowing you to qualify for a no-cost divorce.   If the fees are not waived, the cost will be limited to the filing fee of $360, the parenting education cost, and sometimes, parking fees.  
  • Maintain peace and cordiality.   If you can communicate constructively during the process, you are likely to continue having a cordial and friendly relationship with your ex-spouse.  This is important, especially if you have children. The children will continue to benefit from two parents who can communicate constructively. 
  • Complete control of the outcomes – If you both agree.  Suppose there is a complete agreement on all the issues, and you can proceed together to the Court. In that case, you have full control over the outcomes, and the dates and times (for the most part) are under your control. 
  • Limited services provided by Family Clerk. If the couple has high conflict and cannot reach an agreement, the Family Clerk Services will provide limited services to help the couple reach an agreement. In the end if an agreement is not reached, the Judge will make a decision and finalize the divorce. 

The Detriments of the do-it-yourself low-cost divorce process in Connecticut are:

  • Numerous trips to the Court and time expended to finalize the process.
  • Delays, numerous in fact.  The lack of familiarity with the legal system in the divorce court and most importantly in the requirements needed to finalize a dissolution, results in procedural mistakes, delays and often irreparable errors. 
  • Negotiations and conversations are not private and can be overheard by others.
  • The necessary documents and financial affidavits are challenging to complete and can be cumbersome.
  • Numerous issues are not discussed or addressed. The Clerks and the Courts do not cover all aspects of the divorce process that are necessary for the financial separation of assets and mortgages, or for addressing debt post-divorce, or for child-related expenses and issues that need to be addressed. 
  • If mistakes are made, the documents need to be revised or resubmitted to the Court, and often, additional time is spent revisiting the Court. 
  • If the family has children, joint mortgages or retirement benefits that need to be divided, or other joint financial obligations, numerous errors, mistakes, or omissions often occur. 
  • The financial cost of repairing or correcting the errors can be substantial, or worse, the errors may not be able to be corrected or modified after the divorce is final, and the spouse will have to live with the consequences. 
  • If agreements are not reached, the parties will have to hire attorneys to restart the process or proceed to a judicial trial.
  • The Judge does not approve the agreements because they do not address essential legal issues required in a Connecticut Divorce.

   2. Divorce Mediation Process. The second, less expensive option for a low-cost divorce or legal separation in Connecticut is Divorce Mediation.  

The Benefits of the Divorce Mediation process in Connecticut are:

  • With Joint agreements, spouses remain in control of the entire divorce and separation process, timelines, outcomes, decisions, and costs. 
  • A divorce mediator who is also a divorce attorney covers all aspects of the divorce and separation process, including any financial issues related to retirement benefits or real estate matters that may arise. 
  • Aside from the DIY process, Mediation is the least expensive way to divorce. 
  • No trips to the Court. Divorce Mediation, performed by an experienced attorney mediator, covers all aspects of the process, from the initial filing to completion and the separation of assets post-divorce, without requiring a court appearance.  Divorce Mediation and Collaborative Divorce are the only two options for families who do not want to go to Court. 
  • Divorce Mediation can be done entirely remotely. The divorce mediation process offers the most flexibility for the family, and the entire process can be conducted virtually or remotely. 
  • All negotiations are conducted privately and take place in the mediator’s office or virtually. 
  • Ample time allotted to reach mutual and workable agreements.
  • If the family experiences conflict, spouses who struggle to reach decisions can be supported throughout the process by the option to hire outside, independent review attorneys on an as-needed basis.  

The Detriments of Divorce Mediation or a low-cost divorce process in Connecticut are:

  • Mediation may not work if financial, emotional, or physical abuse exists.
  • Spouses do not receive individual/independent legal representation from the mediator because the divorce mediator remains neutral.   
  • The Spouses may wish to hire independent review attorneys on an as-needed basis for individual guidance and advice.  The divorce mediator provides legal and financial information, as well as best-case and worst-case scenarios, but will not offer personal, independent legal advice. 
  • Suppose the divorce mediation process is completed by a non-attorney. In that case, the total cost of the process can be high, primarily because the family will need to hire separate lawyers to complete it.  
  • Mediations conducted by non-attorneys are often time-consuming, and judges will not approve the agreements, resulting in delays and repeated trips to the Courts. Attorney mediators who engage in completing legal documents, calculating support, or preparing Financial Affidavits, writing memoranda of understanding or agreements, are often engaging in the practice of law without a license.   Divorce mediators who are non-attorneys do not have the benefit of reading and studying hundreds of decisions reached by the Connecticut Family Courts, and understanding the complex case law and statutes of Connecticut Family Law needed to discuss and provide correct legal and financial information, and the proper context and framework necessary for families who divorce or separate.  

Angela I. Salvari Green is a divorce and family mediator, Connecticut Collaborative Divorce Attorney, and Founder of CT Mediation Center with offices throughout the state of Connecticut. The CT Mediation Center was established in 2005, at a time when Mediation was not yet well-established. CT Mediation Center primarily services families seeking a private, out-of-court process devoid of litigation. To learn more or schedule your free consultation, contact CT Mediation Center at (860) 986-1141.  Atty. Salvari Green can be reached at info@ctmediationcenter.com.

Low Cost Divorce FAQ’s

In Connecticut, court filing fees include a $360 filing fee to initiate the action in court. Additional hidden fees may apply, including a mandatory parenting education course fee for families with children under 18, which costs $150.

Fee waivers are available for individuals who meet certain financial requirements; however, the waiver must be approved by the judge. In order to apply for a waiver, you must complete a financial affidavit and list all monthly income, expenses, assets, and debts. The form must be signed under oath in front of a court clerk, notary, or attorney. The application must be submitted to the clerk’s office where the case is filed, and the judge will review it and grant or deny the waiver.

The term "uncontested" refers to a divorce in which both spouses agree on all aspects and have a complete written agreement addressing every issue.

An uncontested still requires the $360 filing fee to initiate your case in court. However, in an uncontested matter, state marshal service is not required because one spouse waives service as part of the mediation process.

Some differences between an uncontested or Non-Adversarial case versus a contested or standard case include:

  • Court Filing Fee: $360 for both uncontested and contested
  • Marshal Service: $0 for uncontested, approximately $70-100 for contested
  • Parenting Education Class: $0 if there are no minor children, $150 per spouse if there are children under 18.

Yes, you can use a low-cost attorney even if you have minor children. While cases involving children add paperwork and specific legal requirements to a divorce, having children does not automatically disqualify you or your spouse from low-cost options or fee waivers.

A divorce mediator will be able to help you develop and draft your parenting plan, which is typically completed by you and your spouse in one or two mediation sessions.

However, even in low-cost cases, parties should expect to pay for the mandatory parenting education course, which costs $150 per spouse and is required by the State of Connecticut when minor children are involved.

Standard Costs vs. Costs with a Fee Waiver:

  • Court filing: $360 or $0
  • Parenting Education Class: $150 or $0
  • Marshal Service: $70-100 or $0

Limited scope representation allows you to hire an attorney to handle specific parts of your case rather than the entire divorce. In Connecticut, this is a popular option for spouses who want to keep costs low while still receiving professional legal assistance.

With limited scope representation, you may hire an Attorney for specific tasks such as reviewing documents, drafting the separation agreement, or providing legal advice on particular issues related to the divorce.

You may also hire an attorney as review counsel only to review final documents. Under a review counsel arrangement, both you and your spouse have already drafted all required documents, reached a full agreement on all factors of divorce and simply want counsel to review the final paperwork before submitting the documents to court.

Limited scope representation provides flexibility and legal guidance without the expense of full representation.

No, both spouses do not need to hire separate attorneys. A divorce is a legal action between two parties, and a lawyer has a fiduciary duty to one party. Therefore, a mediation attorney cannot represent either spouse in a mediated divorce. They are simply a neutral third party who facilitates conversation and helps guide you and your spouse to reach an agreement. In a mediated divorce, each spouse may consult their own attorney outside the process to obtain full representation or limited-scope review counsel for individualized legal advice.

The moment a case becomes unpredictable, it voids the cost of a low-cost divorce and requires a retainer. Some specific issues that will trigger this include selling any piece of real estate, discovery of hidden assets, high-value or complex assets, business or pension valuations, high-conflict custody disputes, or restraining orders. 

Connecticut has a law requiring the disclosure of all assets and liabilities. The moment a divorce is filed in Connecticut, the Automatic Orders take effect. These orders prohibit either spouse from hiding, transferring, dissipating, or selling assets and require both parties to maintain the “status quo”. If a spouse attempts to move or conceal assets after filing may result in a Contempt of Court. 

Connecticut also has a standard set of required disclosures known as the Mandatory Disclosure and Production. Both spouses are required to collect and provide the financial documents listed. The list requires both parties to collect financial documents such as tax returns, bank statements, pay stubs, retirement statements, life insurance statements, credit card statements, etc., within the last 24 months (2 years). Each spouse must provide the other spouse with financial documents within that time frame. 

In a mediated divorce, both spouses have the right to request a mutually agreed-upon time frame for all financial documents, whether 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, or more.

Both you and your spouse will draft your own financial affidavits that outline your entire financial situation. The financial affidavit is filed with the court and signed under oath in front of a notary. Lying is a form of perjury. By filling out the financial affidavit, you are making assertions to the court that whatever you have listed and represented on the financial affidavit is a complete and accurate depiction of your financial status. 

If you later discover a hidden asset (even years later), you can open the judgment, and the judge may award you a share of that asset as a penalty for dishonesty. 

As of 2026, it is possible to complete your entire divorce without setting foot into court, provided that you and your spouse are in full agreement. 

Two forms are submitted to the court along with your final separation agreement, the Request for Approval of Final Agreement Without Court Appearance and the Affidavit in Support of your Final Agreement. These two documents show that both you and your spouse have a complete written agreement (signed by both), submitting a sworn financial affidavit, and all other documents filed. 

If the judge reviews your paperwork and finds it fair and equitable, your case will go to Judgment, and a final divorce decree will be entered. If a Judge questions your agreement or has other questions regarding your case, your case will be scheduled for a short Resolution Plan Date, or RPD, to canvas both parties. You and your spouse may be self-represented and do not need an Attorney for this court appearance. However, if you are more comfortable with counsel present, you may bring an Attorney.

Divorce mediation is the most cost-effective way to divorce in Connecticut, provided both spouses are willing to cooperate. While a low-cost attorney handles the process for one side, a mediator acts as a neutral third party to help both sides reach an agreement and can ultimately get you both divorced.

In a typical divorce mediation, both spouses split the mediator’s hourly rate. If you hire an attorney, 100% of the fees are on you to pay. Most mediators offer pay as you go basis for each session. Attorneys often require up front retainers that they bill you. While a mediator helps you agree, they cannot give you legal advice. This often leads to either side hiring review counsel, to review the mediated agreement. Divorce mediation can have estimated total costs between $3,000 to $7,500, which is the total split between both parties. Low-cost attorneys can still cost over $10,000, and that amount would be entirely on one party.

A low-cost attorney may be better if your spouse is manipulative, hiding assets or refuses to speak fairly.

Additionally, if you are low-income and cannot afford private mediation between you and your spouse, you may go to the family court clerk’s office, which has a family services unit. They offer free mediation for custody and visitation disputed. They do not usually mediate financial issues but can help resolve the kid portion of your divorce for free.