Connecticut
NPO AFFILIATE | CT
STATE CHAIR: Sean Allen
2022 NPO Child Support And Shared Parenting Report Card
WHY DID CONNECTICUT RECEIVE AN F?
POSITIVES:
None.
NEGATIVES:
Connecticut is one of only 9 states lacking a presumptive parenting time adjustment formula; instead it relies on unnecessarily costly and lengthy court deviation procedures generally inaccessible to lower income parents. The lack of a presumptive PTA as an integral component of mandated presumptive child support guidelines arguably violates federal regulatory requirements.
2019 Shared Parenting Report Card
WHY DID CONNECTICUT RECEIVE A D-?
POSITIVES:
Connecticut specifically permits (but does not require) courts to consider a “friendly parent” factor in determining a parenting order. Courts are to consider “the willingness and ability of each parent to facilitate and encourage such continuing parent-child relationship between the child and the other parent as is appropriate, including compliance with any court orders.”
NEGATIVES:
Connecticut has no statutory preference for, or presumption of, shared parenting (joint legal custody and shared physical custody) for temporary or final orders.
Connecticut statutes do not explicitly provide for shared parenting during temporary orders.
Highlights:
In instances of divorce or separation:
96% of those in Connecticut believe it is in the child's best interest ... to have as much time as possible with each parent;"
93% of those in Connecticut expressed a commitment to vote their beliefs being "more likely to vote for a candidate who supports children spending equal or nearly equal time with each parent ...when both parents are fit and willing to be parents."
85% of those in Connecticut indicate they would support a change in Connecticut law that awards children as much time as possible with each parent after divorce or separation
84% believe that when there is conflict between parents, awarding sole custody to one parent increases conflict.
91% believe that both parents should have equal rights and responsibilities following divorce or separation.