Substantial changes to the practice of family law were buried within the one-hundred-thirteen-page “Act Concerning Court Operations” signed into law by Governor Lamont on July 28, 2021 as Public Act N. 21-104. Our own David McGrath wrote a summary of the law for the Connecticut Law Tribune, published today.
As of October 1, 2021, it shall be permissible to enter into arbitration agreements that, in a dissolution of marriage case, will govern custody, visitation and child support issues. The act now requires such agreements to be confirmed by the court to be enforceable and it leaves a hole in the law for unmarried couples who may wish to arbitrate the same issues. Arbitration awards continue to be provided tremendous deference for reviewability and so parties should consult with counsel regarding the trade-offs of efficiency versus reviewability before entering into such agreements. The final text of the law is available in full at Public Act No. 21-104.
Staying informed about changes to family law in Connecticut is an important part of our commitment to doing all that we reasonably can to help our clients plan for and emerge positively from the divorce process. If you or someone you know is interested in discussing divorce and custody options, please reach out.
