CT Bar CT Bar Family Law & Domestic Relations 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Connecticut's Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (UIFSA) governs which situation?
- Child custody disputes between states
- Establishment and enforcement of support orders across state lines (Correct answer)
- Interstate adoption proceedings
- Relocation of a custodial parent
Correct answer: Establishment and enforcement of support orders across state lines
UIFSA, adopted in Connecticut under C.G.S. § 46b-213a et seq., provides procedures for establishing, enforcing, and modifying child and spousal support orders when parties live in different states.
Question 2: Under Connecticut law, at what age may a child generally petition the court for emancipation?
- 14
- 16 (Correct answer)
- 17
- 18
Correct answer: 16
Under C.G.S. § 46b-150, a minor who is at least 16 years old may petition the Probate Court for a decree of emancipation.
Question 3: A Connecticut court's jurisdiction to modify a child custody order issued by another state is governed primarily by which act?
- UIFSA
- UCCJEA (Correct answer)
- PKPA
- Hague Convention
Correct answer: UCCJEA
The Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA), codified at C.G.S. § 46b-115 et seq., determines which state has jurisdiction to modify an existing custody order.
Question 4: In a Connecticut dissolution action, alimony is authorized under which statute?
- C.G.S. § 46b-82 (Correct answer)
- C.G.S. § 46b-81
- C.G.S. § 46b-56
- C.G.S. § 46b-40
Correct answer: C.G.S. § 46b-82
C.G.S. § 46b-82 empowers the court to award alimony to either spouse, directing the court to consider factors including length of marriage, causes of dissolution, and each party's earning capacity.
Question 5: Under Connecticut adoption law, which consent is generally required before a stepparent adoption can proceed?
- Only the custodial parent's consent
- Consent of both biological parents unless parental rights have been terminated (Correct answer)
- Consent of the child if over 12 and the custodial parent
- The Superior Court's approval alone is sufficient
Correct answer: Consent of both biological parents unless parental rights have been terminated
Under C.G.S. § 45a-724, consent of both biological parents is required for stepparent adoption unless a parent's rights have been terminated, the parent is deceased, or the court finds consent unreasonably withheld.
Question 6: Which Connecticut court has subject matter jurisdiction over most family law matters, including dissolution of marriage?
- Probate Court
- Superior Court — Family Division (Correct answer)
- District Court
- Juvenile Court
Correct answer: Superior Court — Family Division
The Superior Court's Family Division has exclusive jurisdiction over dissolution of marriage, legal separation, annulment, and related custody and support matters in Connecticut.
CT Bar CT Bar Family Law & Domestic Relations 2
Connecticut's Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (UIFSA) governs which situation?