Connecticut’s revamped case management system for family law matters — known as “Pathways” — places each divorce on one of three tracks based on level of complexity and the amount of time it is likely to take. The system is intended to reduce the number of court appearances for parties and their attorneys by creating a suitable schedule at early points in each case.

There are three tracks in the Pathways system — A, B or C — running from simple to complex. Track C is meant for cases with disputes about major issues that likely will require the highest amount of judicial time and resources. In consequence, it is the track that takes longest to complete — perhaps as long as a year, compared with six months for Track B. As such, Track C should be avoided if at all possible.

The first step in your divorce case is the scheduling of a Resolution Plan Date (RPD). This is a meeting at which the case will be screened by a court official to identify the areas where you and your spouse agree and disagree, how likely you are to reach an agreement on any disputed issues and the kind of help you need to resolve your case as a whole. 

If your case involves financial issues like child support, alimony or division of marital property, you should take preparatory steps in advance of the RPD. This includes you and your spouse each completing a Financial Affidavit — a standardized form that lists income, assets, debts and expenses. You will use either the short form or long form affidavit, depending on whether your individual gross annual income and net assets come to less or more than $75,000. These affidavits must be completed fully and accurately.

At the RPD meeting, a Family Relations Counselor (FRC) will lead a discussion covering the facts stated or alleged in the filings, the couple’s parenting relationship, areas of common ground and any parenting and/or financial disputes. Based on this screening, the FRC will recommend to the court a specific track and any services necessary to resolve pending disputes.

An important part of the FRC inquiry will be whether you and your spouse have communicated about the major components of the case. Clearly, the more issues you can agree on, the less likely your case will require a high level of court time and resources, which could help keep your case off Track C. The FRC may recommend services such as mediation to help resolve outstanding issues. Utilizing these services effectively could likewise keep your case off Track C.

An experienced Connecticut divorce attorney can help you prepare the financial affidavit correctly and to take other measures to make your RFD meeting productive, with the goal of avoiding Track C.

The O’Neil Law Firm proudly serves residents of Hartford, Middlesex and Tolland counties in Connecticut divorce matters. For a free initial consultation with, call 866-418-7593 or contact us online.