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Family Matters
Frequently Asked Questions

General Information  |  Divorce  |  Family Services  |  Guardian Ad Litem  |  Attorney for Minor Child
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General Information
  1. Can I look up my family case online?
  2. Where can I get more information or help?
  3. Can I hire a lawyer to help me with part of my court case?
  4. Who decides family matters?
  5. I am a party in a family case. How do I change the address that the Court has on file?
Divorce
  1. I want to file for divorce but can’t afford an attorney. Are there resources available?
  2. What does it cost to file papers with the court?
  3. Do I need to pay a fee if I have been referred to Family Services?
  4. How do I get a copy of my divorce decree (or other documents filed in my divorce case)?
Family Services
Guardian Ad Litem
  1. What is a guardian ad litem (GAL)?
  2. Who can be a GAL?
  3. What is the role of a GAL?
  4. What can a parent in a family court matter expect from a GAL?
  5. Who pays the GAL?
  6. Is there a sliding scale fee option for parents with limited resources?
  7. Can a GAL be removed from a case?
  8. Is there a list of individuals qualified to be appointed as a Guardian Ad Litem (GAL) in a family case?
  9. Is there a Code of Conduct for Guardians Ad Litem?
Attorney for the Minor Child
  1. What is an Attorney for a Minor Child (AMC)?
  2. Who can be an AMC?
  3. What is the role of an AMC?
  4. What can a parent in a family court matter expect from an AMC?
  5. Who pays the AMC?
  6. Can an AMC be removed from a case?
  7. Is there a list of individuals qualified to be appointed as an Attorney for a Minor Child (AMC) in a family case?
  8. Is there a Code of Conduct for Attorneys for the Minor Child?



1. Can I look up my family case online?
Usually, you can see a summary of your case online in the Civil/Family Case Look-up after it has been filed, although no papers filed in the case can be seen online. With some exceptions (such as divorces, which stay on the website for about 10 years), cases stay on the website for a length of time that follows the schedule in Sections 7-10 and 7-11 of the Connecticut Practice Book.
 
However, federal law prohibits certain information about restraining orders from being put on a public website, so if you are involved in a restraining order case, you will not be able to see information about your case online.
  
Please also note that self-represented Parties can enroll in E-Services to file family and cases and documents in e-filable cases online (electronically) in the Superior Court. You can find more information about how to enroll by going to the E-Filing Manual for Civil, Family and Housing Matters - Guide for Self-Represented Parties
2. Where can I get more information or help?
You may want to talk to an attorney if you think you need help with your case. The "Find a Lawyer" section of the Judicial Branch website may help you find an attorney. To hire a lawyer for part of your case, see Limited Scope Representation - Frequently Asked Questions. Additionally, the Judicial Branch has Volunteer Attorney Programs.
Most Judicial District courthouses have a Court Service Center. Court Service Centers are self-help centers that provide services for self-represented parties and others. They are staffed by Judicial Branch employees and some Court Service Centers have bilingual staff.
There are also a number of Judicial Branch Publications about Family Matters. You can find them on the Judicial Branch web site and at Judicial District court locations. You may also want to review the "Self-Help" section of the Judicial Branch website for information that could apply to your situation, as well as the "Links Related to Family". The Connecticut Network for Legal AidExternal Link also has a number of self-help booklets for certain family matters that are on their web site.
Additional information is also available at the Law Libraries
3. Can I hire a lawyer to help me with part of my court case?
For information about hiring a lawyer for part of your court case, please see the Limited Scope Representation Frequently Asked Questions. You may also download the informational pamphlet: Hiring a Lawyer for Part of Your Legal Matter ("Limited Scope Representation") - PDF

4. Who decides family matters?
Judges decide most family matters. However, if a paternity or support case is brought under Title IV-D of the Social Security Act, or a party to the case signs up for IV-D services for the collection or enforcement of child support, a family support magistrate would decide the matter. For more information, see Support Enforcement Services Child Support.
5. I am a party in a family case. How do I change the address that the Court has on file?
You would need to file an updated Appearance Form. Check the box right under the instructions that says I am filing this appearance to let the court and all attorneys and self-represented parties of record know that I have changed my address. My new address is below. Then fill in your complete updated address on the form.

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 Divorce

6. I want to file for divorce but can’t afford an attorney. Are there resources available?
Most Judicial District courthouses have a Court Service Center. Court Service Centers are self-help centers that provide services for self-represented parties and others. They are staffed by Judicial Branch employees and some Court Service Centers have bilingual staff.

There are also a number of Judicial Branch Publications about Family Matters. You can find them on the Judicial Branch web site and at Judicial District court locations. The Connecticut Network for Legal AidExternal Link also has a number of self-help booklets for certain family matters that are on their web site.

You may also want to review the "Self-Help" section of the Judicial Branch website for information that could apply to your situation, as well as the "Links Related to Family".

Additional information is also available at the Law Libraries.

You may hire a lawyer for part of your case, see Limited Scope Representation - Frequently Asked Questions.

Finally, the Judicial Branch has Volunteer Attorney Programs.

7. What does it cost to file papers with the court?
There are different fees for different kinds of papers that you might be filing with the court. The fees are listed in the Fee Schedule.
8. Do I need to pay a fee if I have been referred to Family Services?
There are no fees associated with services that Family Services provides. However, there may be fees associated with programs that Family Services recommends that you attend. 
9. How do I get a copy of my divorce decree (or other document filed in my divorce case)?
A copy of a document filed in your divorce case can generally be obtained from the Judicial District Clerk's Office in the court location where the divorce took place. Your divorce decree is referred to as the "Judgment File." The Clerk's Office will need your case name and docket number (the number that was assigned to the case), and there are fees for copying and certifying. Judgment Files have a flat fee, other documents have a per page copying fee with a certification fee, if needed.

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 Family Services
 Guardian Ad Litem
1. What is a Guardian Ad Litem (GAL)?
A guardian ad litem, often referred to as a GAL, is an individual the court appoints, either upon motion of a party or when the court determines a GAL is necessary. The court will consider the appointment of a GAL if the parties are unable to resolve a parenting or child related dispute. In such event, the court appoints a GAL to ensure the child’s best interests are represented during the course of the parties’ dispute. The GAL’s role is different from that of an Attorney for a Minor Child (AMC). The GAL represents the child’s best interests while the AMC represents the child’s legal interests and supports the child’s best interests.

 2. Who can be a GAL?
Only an individual who has completed the comprehensive training program required by Practice Book Section 25-62, which is sponsored by the Judicial Branch, is eligible to be a GAL.

3. What is the role of a GAL?
In cases where the parties are unable to agree on a parenting plan or there is a child related dispute, the court may order a GAL to independently represent the best interests of the child. The GAL does not represent the mother, father or any other party in the case. The GAL only represents the best interests of the child. The GAL does not make decisions for the court. The court may need the GAL to perform certain functions. Some of the functions could be:

  • Investigate facts
  • Interview the parties and the child
  • Review files and records
  • Talk to teachers, coaches, and others
  • Speak with medical professionals
  • Participate in court hearings
  • Make recommendations to the court
  • Encourage settlement of disputes

The court may also need the GAL to perform other functions not listed above to make a determination as to the best interests of the child. The court will specify the role of the GAL in each case.

4. What can a parent in a family court matter expect from a GAL?
A parent should expect a GAL to be fair and impartial. The GAL is expected to avoid any conflict of interest, be courteous and professional and act in good faith. The GAL is expected to complete his or her duties in a timely fashion and to maintain accurate records pertaining to both the duties performed and the fees he or she is owed for performing those duties.

5. Who pays the GAL?
The parties to the case pay the fees for the GAL. Each party is required to submit a financial affidavit to the court. The court will consider each party’s financial situation and order how the payment is to be split between them. In some cases, the parties may qualify for the appointment of a GAL that is paid for by the state. The parties must submit their financial affidavits to the court for review. If the parties meet the eligibility requirements of the Division of Public Defender Services, the court will appoint a GAL who is paid for by the state.
6. Is there a sliding scale fee option for parents with limited resources?
On October 1, 2014, the following sliding fee scale took effect for counsel or a guardian ad litem appointed in a family relations matter pursuant to Public Act 14-3.


DIVISION OF PUBLIC DEFENDER SERVICES FEE SCALE

Parents’ Combined Gross Income Appointed AMC/GAL Hourly Rate
$00.00 - $39,062.00 State paid*

* Currently the state pays the GAL/AMC a flat fee of $500, plus $50/hour for hourly billing events approved by the Division of Public Defender Services contract.

JUDICIAL BRANCH SLIDING FEE SCALE

Parents’ Combined Gross Income* Appointed AMC/GAL Hourly Rate
$39,062.01  -  $50,000.00 $75/hr - $100/hr
$50,000.01  -  $70,000.00 $100/hr - $150/hr
$70,000.01  -  $100,000.00 $150/hr - $225/hr


* The sliding fee scale is based upon the combined gross income of the parents and assumes one child. The scale is only applicable to cases where the combined gross income of the parents is $100,000 or less.

In addition to considering the parents’ gross income, the court may also consider other factors to determine whether application of the scale is appropriate and at what level, including:

  1. All other information set forth on the parents’ financial affidavits;
  2. Total number of dependent children;
  3. The hourly rate charged by the parties’ own lawyers;
  4. The complexity of the issues before the court;
  5. The gross income and other information on the financial affidavit of any intervening party or third party applicant;
  6. Source(s) of additional household income, including funding source for current litigation.

7. Can a GAL be removed from a case?
If a party believes that a GAL has acted improperly in a family case, he or she can file a motion to ask the court to remove the GAL from the case. After the motion is filed, the court may refer the motion to the Family Services Unit of the court. If the parties involved in the case cannot resolve the motion themselves, the court will have a hearing and decide the motion.
8. Is there a list of individuals qualified to be appointed as a Guardian Ad Litem (GAL) in a family case?
The following is the list of individuals who have completed the training required by Practice Book Sections 25-62 & 25-62A and who are available to accept appointments from the court. Only a lawyer can be appointed as an Attorney for a Minor Child. The list displays an "X" in each court location for which the individual will take appointments. The "X" will be accompanied by an asterisk (*) in each court location for which the individual has been approved by, and is under contract with, the Division of Public Defender Services (DPDS) for payment by the state where a Judge or Family Support Magistrate orders state payment because of the financial circumstances of the parties. In the column entitled "Languages" you will find inserted any language(s) in which the individual reported having proficiency. "Titles" are provided by the listed individuals.


9. Is there a Code of Conduct for GALs?
Yes, there is a Code of Conduct for Attorney for the Minor Child and Guardian ad Litem, which is available on this website.

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Attorney for the Minor Child

 1. What is an Attorney for a Minor Child (AMC)?
An attorney for a minor child, often referred to as an AMC and also called Counsel for the Minor Child is an individual the court appoints, either upon motion of a party or when the court determines an AMC is necessary to advocate for the best interests of the child. The court will consider the appointment of an AMC if the parties are unable to resolve a parenting or child related dispute. The AMC’s role is different from that of a guardian ad litem (GAL). The AMC represents the child’s legal interests and supports the child’s best interests, while the GAL represents only the child’s best interests.

2. Who can be an AMC?
Only an attorney who has completed the comprehensive training program required by Practice Book Section 25-62, which is sponsored by the Judicial Branch, is eligible to be an AMC. The AMC cannot be the same attorney that is representing either of the parents.

 3. What is the role of an AMC?
In cases where the parties are unable to agree on a parenting plan or there is a child related dispute, the court may appoint an AMC to be the child’s attorney. The court will specify the role of the AMC in each case. Just as the parents may have their own attorneys advocating on their behalf, the AMC represents the child’s wishes and advocates on the child’s behalf. The AMC can speak in court on all matters pertaining to the interests of the child including custody, care, support, education and visitation. The AMC can also file motions and call witnesses on behalf of the child in court. Unlike a GAL, an AMC does not testify as a witness, but participates fully as a lawyer in the case.
4. What can a parent in a family court matter expect from an AMC?
The AMC is expected to avoid any conflict of interest, be courteous and professional and act in good faith. An AMC is bound by the Rules of Professional Conduct governing attorneys in Connecticut. The client, however, is not either of the parents, but the child. The AMC’s duty is to the child, and the parents should not expect the AMC to advocate or argue on their behalf.
5. Who pays the AMC?
The parties to the case pay the fees for the AMC. Each party is required to submit a financial affidavit to the court. The court will consider each party’s financial situation and order how such payment is to be split between them. In some cases, the parties may qualify for the appointment of an AMC that is paid for by the state. The parties must submit their financial affidavits to the court for review. If the parties meet the eligibility requirements of the Division of Public Defender Services, the court will appoint an AMC who is paid for by the state.
6. Can an AMC be removed from a case?
If a party believes that an AMC has acted improperly in a family case, he or she can file a motion to ask the court to remove the AMC from the case. After the motion is filed, the court may refer the motion to the Family Services Unit of the court. If the parties involved in the case cannot resolve the motion themselves, the court will have a hearing and decide the motion.

7. Is there a list of individuals qualified to be appointed as an Attorney for a Minor Child (AMC) in a family case?
The following is the list of individuals who have completed the training required by Practice Book Sections 25-62 & 25-62A and who are available to accept appointments from the court. Only a lawyer can be appointed as an Attorney for a Minor Child. The list displays an "X" in each court location for which the individual will take appointments. The "X" will be accompanied by an asterisk (*) in each court location for which the individual has been approved by, and is under contract with, the Division of Public Defender Services (DPDS) for payment by the state where a Judge or Family Support Magistrate orders state payment because of the financial circumstances of the parties. In the column entitled "Languages" you will find inserted any language(s) in which the individual reported having proficiency. "Titles" are provided by the listed individuals.

8. Is there a Code of Conduct for AMC’s?
Yes, there is a Code of Conduct for Attorney for the Minor Child and Guardian ad Litem, which is available on this website.

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