Connecticut General Statutes 46b-44d – Review of settlement agreement in nonadversarial dissolution of marriage. Appearance of parties required; exceptions. Matters placed on the regular family docket
(a) If after review of a settlement agreement filed pursuant to subsection (e) of section 46b-44a, the court cannot determine whether such settlement agreement is fair and equitable, the matter shall be docketed on a date not later than thirty days after the assigned disposition date and the court shall command that the parties appear before the court on such date. If the court determines that the settlement agreement is fair and equitable, the court may enter a decree of dissolution of marriage. If the court is unable to make such a determination, the court may order the termination of the nonadversarial dissolution action and order that the matter be placed on the regular family docket of the Superior Court.
Terms Used In Connecticut General Statutes 46b-44d
- Docket: A log containing brief entries of court proceedings.
- Equitable: Pertaining to civil suits in "equity" rather than in "law." In English legal history, the courts of "law" could order the payment of damages and could afford no other remedy. See damages. A separate court of "equity" could order someone to do something or to cease to do something. See, e.g., injunction. In American jurisprudence, the federal courts have both legal and equitable power, but the distinction is still an important one. For example, a trial by jury is normally available in "law" cases but not in "equity" cases. Source: U.S. Courts
- Settlement: Parties to a lawsuit resolve their difference without having a trial. Settlements often involve the payment of compensation by one party in satisfaction of the other party's claims.
(b) If after review of the joint petition, the court does not enter a decree of dissolution of marriage pursuant to subsection (b) of section 46b-44c, the matter shall be docketed on a date not later than thirty days after the assigned disposition date and the court shall command that the parties appear before the court in order for the court to determine if the criteria in section 46b-44a have been met, and whether a decree of dissolution of marriage may enter. If the court does not enter the decree of dissolution of marriage, the court may order the termination of the nonadversarial dissolution action and order that the matter be placed on the regular family docket of the Superior Court.
(c) If the matter is placed on the regular family docket of the Superior Court pursuant to subsection (a) or (b) of this section, all provisions of this chapter, except for the provisions of subsection (a) of section 46b-45, shall apply to the matter. No new filing fee shall be imposed by the court.