Author: Dori-Ellen Feltman

Will Child Support Enforcement Take My Tax Refund or Third Stimulus Check?

Dori-Ellen Feltman | April 1, 2021

What is the Treasury Offset Program “TOP”?  The TOP collects delinquent debts such as child support arrears from tax refunds, certain economic stimulus payments and social security payments.  When you have a child support arrearage, the TOP helps Child Support Enforcement collect the debt by holding money back from a Federal payment to the debtor.  Read More

Cohabitation – Will Alimony End?

Dori-Ellen Feltman | March 22, 2021

What is Connecticut’s cohabitation law? Conn. General Statutes §46b-86(b), the so-called “cohabitation statute”, was enacted by the legislature to correct the injustice of making a party pay alimony when his or her ex-spouse is cohabitating with another person, without marrying, for the purpose of preventing the loss of the alimony support order. The statute does Read More

Will I Lose My Medical Insurance Once I’m Divorced?

Dori-Ellen Feltman | February 16, 2021

Once a divorce is finalized, employer-sponsored medical insurance plans do not allow the employee to continue to maintain medical insurance for his or her former spouse.  With some insurance plans the former spouse’s insurance will remain in effect until the end of the month following the date of divorce. With other plans the insurance will Read More

Connecticut Has Changed Its Travel Restrictions For Minors Travelling Pursuant to a Custody Order!

Dori-Ellen Feltman | February 2, 2021

Just recently, Connecticut modified its travel restrictions for children travelling between households from an “affected state” such as Massachusetts to Connecticut pursuant to a custody order.   Previously, Connecticut did not exempt minors travelling to Connecticut from having to quarantine in Connecticut for 10 days or test negative for Covid within 72 hours of entering Connecticut.  Read More

Will Divorce Mediation Work for Me?

Dori-Ellen Feltman | January 19, 2021

With the Courts being closed for in-person business, and with virtual hearing dates delayed because of the backlog in cases needing attention, some families are turning to mediation to resolve their divorce.  As a family law practitioner, I will share some of my thoughts on the mediation process and whether mediation will work for you. Read More

Is Connecticut a “No Fault” State?

Dori-Ellen Feltman | January 4, 2021

I am often asked if Connecticut is a “no fault” state or whether fault is a factor in a Connecticut divorce. These are two separate questions with two distinct answers. Under Connecticut law, fault does not need to be pled or proven in order for a party to be granted a divorce.  Put another way, Read More

Parental Conflict and the Start of School During COVID-19.

Dori-Ellen Feltman | September 24, 2020

Please click on the hyperlink to the Connecticut Post article in which I was quoted as a legal expert discussing school-related parental conflict and other parental issues during COVID-19.  Many parents are feuding over back to school plans.  In some cases school districts are requiring court orders where parents disagree on whether the children should Read More

Leaving a Child Unsupervised in a Motor Vehicle or Public Place Under Connecticut Law

Dori-Ellen Feltman | July 21, 2020

I have specific memories as a child of my parents leaving my sister and me in a locked car on Long Island, eating Burger King, while my parents food shopped and did other errands for an hour or so.  I would guess that I was about 10 and my sister 6.  For today’s parents this Read More

Update on the Connecticut Family Courts

Dori-Ellen Feltman | July 7, 2020

Are the Connecticut Family Courts Open for In-Person Business? The Connecticut Family Courts remain closed for in-person hearings except for Priority 1 matters which include domestic violence and emergency custody cases. Are the Connecticut Family Courts Open for Virtual Hearings?      The Connecticut Family Courts are beginning to schedule short hearings using the virtual platform Microsoft Read More

Can I Get Divorced During the Coronavirus?

Dori-Ellen Feltman | May 26, 2020

What does COVID-19 mean for my Connecticut divorce matter? Are the Connecticut Family Courts still closed?  The Connecticut Family Courts remain closed for in-person proceedings except for “Priority 1 Matters” which include domestic violence matters and emergency custody applications.  You do not need to appear for previously scheduled in-person hearings or trials in Court at Read More