ATTORNEY SANDI BETH GIROLAMO AND ATTORNEY PAMELA MARIE MAGNANO ELECTED TO THE CONNECTICUT BAR FOUNDATION JAMES W. COOPER FELLOWS PROGRAM Hartford, Connecticut (February 7, 2022) – Attorney Sandi B. Girolamo of Newington, CT, and Attorney Pamela M. Magnano of East Hampton, CT, were elected 2022 Fellows of the Connecticut Bar Foundation (CBF) James W. Cooper […]

In any case involving a significant marital estate, the issue of asset division can become incredibly complicated. Some types of assets generate more controversy than others. For example, allocating real estate is much more complicated than allocating fungible assets like cash or stocks. However, distributing a family business is among the most complex tasks divorcing

Making the decision to pursue an uncontested divorce does not mean spouses agree on all of the issues. While it has distinct advantages, uncontested divorce is not necessarily simple or problem-free. With few exceptions, divorcing couples fare better by retaining legal support to guide them through the complex legal process. Even a quick review of the legal

Recently, national news networks covered the case of Rachel Canning, the 18-year-old New Jersey high school student who sued her parents for child support and payment of her college tuition. This case generated a great deal of interest, and many people questioned how it was able to go as far as it did. We thought

Handed down in June 2013, United States v. Windsor is one of the most momentous decisions to come out of the Supreme Court in years. While we have previously discussed the direct effect of this case on our other blog, (see Attorney Magnano’s blog posts from March and August of 2013) we thought it was worth touching upon again. This is because the

One of the difficult but often overlooked aspects of divorce is that your life must go on while you complete the process. This can be especially problematic when many of the assets you need for your daily life are caught in the middle of the asset allocation process. The breakdown of a marriage is not

For many mature Connecticut couples, the primary earner’s 401(k) is the greatest asset other than the home. Should the parties decide to divorce, they must decide how to divide the assets in that plan or have the court decide for them. A Qualified Domestic Relations Order addresses retirement benefits Cashing out a 401(k) incurs tax

The standard child support order in Connecticut lasts until the child reaches the age of majority, 18 years old. However, under a law passed in 2002, Connecticut courts can order one or both divorcing parents (or a father subject to a paternity action) to pay support for accredited college or vocational programs, until the child

We talked previously about identifying and protecting assets during divorce. For all divorcing couples, protecting net worth is important. Couples with high net worth face a complicated process to divide assets and preserve wealth during divorce. Connecticut courts divide property equitably — this means that property, assets, and income that are determined to be part of the

Beginning in January, the state of Connecticut implemented a pilot program intended to provide limited legal help to people who might otherwise avoid seeking or using legal services in family court. Family law matters, like divorce, can lead to big lifetime changes for an individual and his or her family. With the recent economic downturn