Alimony & Child Support Attorneys in Hartford, CT

Hartford Family Law Counsel Since 1975. Both Sides of Every Support Matter.

Not every divorce results in an alimony order, but every divorce involving a financial imbalance between spouses raises the question. Whether you supported your spouse financially or depended on that support, questions of alimony — yes or no, how much, and for how long — can shape your negotiations, mediation, or litigation. Alimony and spousal support are the same legal concept in Connecticut; courts and attorneys use the terms interchangeably. The financial outcome can follow both parties for years or decades after judgment, which is why getting it right matters.

Our Hartford alimony lawyers will help you resolve these complicated issues. Call (800) 496-0497 to schedule your consultation.

Alimony & Spousal Support Matters We Handle

At Budlong & Scelfo, LLC, our Hartford spousal support attorneys represent clients at every stage of a support matter: the initial determination of alimony during divorce, temporary pendente lite support ordered while a case is still pending, post-judgment modification when circumstances change, and enforcement when a paying spouse falls behind. We represent both those seeking support and those responding to a demand.

Pendente lite alimony is temporary support ordered during the pendency of a divorce proceeding, and it often shapes expectations for the final award. That’s why getting the numbers right from the start matters. Post-judgment modifications are governed by Connecticut General Statute 46b-86 and require demonstrating a substantial change in circumstances; retroactive modification isn’t permitted except for the period during which a motion is pending. When enforcement becomes necessary, Connecticut family court offers remedies including contempt proceedings and wage withholding.

Cohabitation by a receiving spouse can become grounds to seek modification or termination of alimony under CGS 46b-86(b) if the living arrangement alters the recipient’s financial needs. Whether you’re the payor or the recipient, understanding how these triggers work and acting promptly when they arise can have a lasting effect on your finances.

C. Michael Budlong has been licensed in Connecticut since 1969 and serves as Chair of the Hartford County Family Bar Committee. Our attorneys review each client’s matter collectively at weekly strategic reviews, so no single attorney carries the analysis alone.

Is Alimony Likely in Your Divorce Settlement?

The longer the marriage and the more substantially one spouse supported the other, the more likely a family law court is to include spousal support in the settlement. But there’s no fixed formula; Connecticut courts exercise discretion based on the full weight of the statutory factors.

Connecticut General Statute 46b-82 lists the factors a court considers when entering an alimony order. If you believe spousal support may be part of your divorce settlement, talk to a knowledgeable attorney before positions harden.

The considerations of a court in entering an order for alimony include, but are not limited to, the following:

• One party has made considerably more income than the other
• One party supported the other through graduate school or other education or job training
• Your marriage has lasted several years or longer
• You or your spouse, whichever of the two has earned less, has become accustomed to a lifestyle that won’t be sustainable after separation or divorce without alimony

Despite Connecticut being a “no-fault” divorce state, the court can consider fault for the breakdown of the marriage in making an alimony order, as well as the following:

• The age, health, station, and occupation of each of the divorcing parties
• The amount and sources of income
• The earning capacity of each party and their employability
• The education level of either party and how long it will take a divorcing spouse to re-enter the workforce
• The financial needs of each party

If you will pay or receive spousal support before or after your divorce, or both, it’s also important to know when that support will end. Consult with a Hartford alimony lawyer to learn how to request a modification, if applicable.

Types of Alimony in Connecticut & Federal Tax Treatment

Connecticut courts have several alimony structures available depending on the facts of a case. Understanding which type applies to your situation, and how it interacts with your tax picture, is an important part of reaching a fair resolution.

Time-Limited Rehabilitative Alimony
Courts may award alimony for a defined period to allow a lower-earning spouse to become self-sufficient, whether that means completing a degree, re-entering the workforce, or reducing parenting responsibilities that limited earning capacity during the marriage.

Lifetime Alimony
Lifetime alimony may be appropriate when a significant or progressive medical condition prevents self-support, or when a long marriage and age make self-sufficiency unrealistic. Under Connecticut General Statute 46b-82(b), the court must specify the basis for any indefinite or lifetime alimony order.

Lump-Sum Alimony
Lump-sum alimony pays a fixed total in place of ongoing periodic payments. Whether this structure fits your situation depends on the facts and income composition of your case.

Post-2018 Federal Tax Rules
For divorce agreements finalized after December 31, 2018, alimony payments are no longer tax-deductible by the payer or treated as taxable income by the recipient under federal law. This change affects how support amounts are negotiated and structured, and it’s a factor any Hartford spousal support attorney should address when advising on settlement terms.

Ensuring Fair Child Support Payments in Hartford

When a marriage includes children, child support is likely to apply. We work to help our clients understand all of their rights and responsibilities as separated or divorced parents of minor children.

Whether your children will be with you most of the time, half the time, or less, you need to know whether you’ll receive or pay fair amounts of support.

Many family law attorneys will tell you child support is determined by a state formula, but they may not explain how to maximize your position through accurate data input into that calculator, or when there’s cause to deviate from the Connecticut Child Support Guidelines. Rhonda Morra has represented over 1,000 child clients as Guardian Ad Litem in Connecticut family court matters, giving our team direct experience with how courts assess children’s needs.

Child Support Regulations in Connecticut: What You Should Know

Child support can’t be waived by either parent in Connecticut. Both parents are expected to contribute to their children’s support, and payments are calculated based on the income of both parents under strict statutory guidelines. Custody arrangements also matter: the amount of time children spend with each parent affects how support obligations are apportioned.

If you believe there’s justification to modify a child support order because you or the other parent now has significantly higher or lower income or expenses, Connecticut law provides a clear threshold. A recalculated award that differs from the current order by at least 15 percent is presumed to constitute a substantial change in circumstances, and any agreed change still requires court approval. Consult with a knowledgeable child support attorney without delay to learn how to seek a modification.

Protect Your Rights & Financial Wellbeing Today

Alimony and child support decisions made during or after divorce can shape your finances for years. Our team can help you understand your options and move forward with a clear picture of what’s at stake.

Call (800) 496-0497 or complete our online intake form to schedule a consultation with our Hartford alimony and child support attorneys.