Connecticut Family Law Attorneys Who Know What's at Stake
When your marriage, your children, or your financial future is on the line, the attorney across the table from you matters. We represent individuals and families in New London County and across southeastern Connecticut — from straightforward divorces to complex military cases that require federal-law knowledge most civilian attorneys don't have.
Family Court Requires Focused Representation
Family law in Connecticut is its own discipline. Groton family law clients, military families near Naval Submarine Base New London, and individuals across New London County need an attorney who works in this court regularly — not a generalist filling a gap.
Our family law practice is led by dedicated family law attorney Maren Klawiter. She handles divorce, custody, alimony, and family court proceedings in southeastern Connecticut full-time. Keith Anthony brings additional depth on military-specific matters, including military divorce, deployment-related custody disputes, and cases involving federal statutes that civilian attorneys routinely misapply.
CLIENT TRUST
Families Across Cedar Park Trust a Thoughtful Planning Process
The Family Law Services We Handle
If you were injured in a car accident, truck accident, motorcycle crash, or a slip and fall, you have a limited window to act. We take personal injury cases on contingency — you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Our Groton, Guilford, and New Haven offices serve clients across New London County and beyond.
Connecticut is a no-fault divorce state, but that doesn't mean the process is simple. Property division, spousal support, parenting plans, and retirement account distribution all require careful legal work. We represent clients through negotiated settlements and contested proceedings in family court.
Custody arrangements have long-term consequences for your children and your relationship with them. We help parents establish parenting plans that are realistic, stable, and built around the child's best interests — not prolonged conflict.
Military divorces involve federal law that most civilian family attorneys have never practiced under. Division of military retirement pay under the Uniformed Services Former Spouses' Protection Act, Survivor Benefit Plan elections, deployment schedules in custody agreements, and SCRA protections for active-duty service members — these are not edge cases for us. They are the work.
Connecticut courts consider multiple factors when awarding alimony, including the length of the marriage, each spouse's earning capacity, and the standard of living established during the marriage. We represent both parties seeking support and those contesting it.
How Does Divorce Work in Connecticut?
Connecticut requires that at least one spouse has lived in the state for twelve months before filing, or that the grounds for divorce arose in Connecticut. From there, the process moves through several stages — and understanding them helps you make better decisions at each step.
Step 1:
Filing and Service
One spouse files a complaint for dissolution of marriage with the Superior Court. The other spouse is served and has the opportunity to respond. This begins the formal case.
Step 2:
Automatic Orders
Once a divorce is filed, automatic court orders take effect immediately. These restrict both parties from hiding assets, removing children from the state, or canceling insurance coverage. Violating automatic orders has serious consequences.
Step 3:
Case Management and Discovery
Both sides exchange financial disclosures. If there are contested issues — property, custody, support — this is where the groundwork for negotiation or litigation is built.
Step 4:
Negotiation or Trial
Most Connecticut divorces resolve through negotiated settlement agreements. When settlement isn't possible, the case proceeds to a hearing before a family court judge. We prepare every case as if it will go to trial, which is also why most of them don't.
Step 5:
Final Decree
Once a judge approves the agreement or issues a ruling, the divorce is finalized. Post-judgment modifications are possible if circumstances change significantly after the decree.
What Military Families Need to Know Before Filing
Military divorce is not a variation of civilian divorce. It is a separate category of legal work governed by federal statutes that interact with — and sometimes override — Connecticut state law.
The Uniformed Services Former Spouses' Protection Act determines how military retirement pay can be divided. The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act affects how and when active-duty members can be served or required to appear. Deployment schedules complicate custody timelines in ways civilian parenting plans don't anticipate.
Keith Anthony spent four years as an active-duty JAG prosecutor and has served in the Marine Corps Reserve for nearly two decades. That background is not a marketing point — it is the reason we can handle these cases correctly where other Connecticut family attorneys cannot.
Why Clients in Southeastern CT Choose Mission Focus Legal Group
Five-time Super Lawyers selection for Keith Anthony
Dedicated family law attorney Maren Klawiter — not a generalist
In-house military law expertise for cases involving federal statutes, military retirement, and deployment-related custody
110+ five-star Google reviews from clients across New London County and southeastern Connecticut
Three offices: Groton, Guilford, and New Haven — with virtual consultations available
Groton office located within three miles of Naval Submarine Base New London
Frequently Asked Questions About Family Law in Connecticut
How long does a divorce take in Connecticut?
Connecticut has a 90-day waiting period from the date of service before a divorce can be finalized. Uncontested divorces with agreed-upon terms often resolve close to that minimum. Contested divorces involving property disputes, custody disagreements, or complex financials typically take longer — sometimes a year or more depending on the court's schedule and the issues involved.
Can a Connecticut family court order affect a military pension?
Yes. Under the Uniformed Services Former Spouses' Protection Act, Connecticut courts can treat military retirement pay as marital property subject to division. The rules governing how that division is calculated and paid are specific to federal law. An attorney without military law experience may not apply them correctly.
What factors does a Connecticut court consider in child custody decisions?
Connecticut courts make custody determinations based on the best interests of the child. Relevant factors include each parent's relationship with the child, the child's adjustment to home and school, each parent's willingness to support the other's relationship with the child, and — when the child is old enough — the child's own preferences. Neither parent starts with an automatic advantage.
Do I need a lawyer if my spouse and I agree on everything?
An uncontested divorce is simpler, but legal representation still matters. Agreements that seem straightforward can contain terms that are difficult to modify later, particularly around property division and retirement accounts. Having an attorney review and formalize the agreement protects you from errors that could cost more to fix than the representation would have cost upfront.
How much is my personal injury case worth?
There is no honest answer to that question without reviewing the facts of your specific case. Value depends on the severity of your injuries, the strength of the liability evidence, the insurance coverage available, and the impact on your daily life and earning capacity. The free consultation is where that conversation starts.
What is the difference between legal separation and divorce in Connecticut?
Legal separation allows a court to divide property and establish support arrangements without formally ending the marriage. Some couples choose separation for religious reasons or to maintain certain benefits. A legal separation can later be converted to a divorce. We can help you evaluate which path makes sense for your situation.
Ready to Talk to a Family Law Attorney?
Family court moves on its own schedule. The sooner you have representation, the better positioned you are when decisions get made. Call us at (860) 333-6455
or schedule a consultation at our Groton, Guilford, or New Haven office.