Divorce Courts in Connecticut are more commonly referred to as Family Courts since they decide more than just divorce cases.
In addition to divorces, Family Courts in Connecticut hear:
- Child custody cases;
- Child support cases; and
- Restraining Orders.
If you are going through a divorce, you know the Family Court will decide custody and visitation. Stay here.
But other times you may have to go there.
Custody cases can also be heard in other courts in Connecticut. For example, cases in which DCF has filed a Neglect or Abuse Petition are handled exclusively by the Juvenile Court due to the confidential nature of those proceedings. These cases often involve a change in custody or transferring guardianship to third party relative who has intervened.
Other times Probate Court has jurisdiction to decide a matter including certain Termination of Parental Rights issues and adoptions. Probate Court also determines sole guardianship of children and removing guardianship rights.
All three courts: Family, Probate and Juvenile can enter visitation orders. For grandparents, it is much harder to establish rights in Family Court and significantly easier in other courts.
Given all this, some advance planning and strategy is required for cases concerning children.