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Section 25-36.Motion for Decree Finally Dissolving Marriage or Civil Union after Decree of Legal Separation

Current through August 12, 2025 (2026 Practice Book edition) · Last verified July 9, 2026

In one sentenceThis section says what a motion to convert a legal separation into a final dissolution must state, and requires it to come with an application for an order of notice.

Full Text of Section 25-36

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Every motion for a decree finally dissolving and terminating the marriage or civil union, after a decree of legal separation, shall state the number of the case in which the separation was granted, the date of the decree of legal separation and whether the parties have resumed relations relating to the marriage or civil union since the entry of the decree, and it shall be accompanied by an application for an order of notice to the adverse party.
End

Amendment History

(P.B. 1978-1997, Sec. 472.) (Amended June 30, 2008, to take effect Jan. 1, 2009.)

Plain-English Summary

A legal separation can be converted into a dissolution later, and this section governs the motion that does it. It must state the number of the case in which the separation was granted, the date of the decree of legal separation, and whether the parties have resumed relations relating to the marriage or civil union since that decree.

That last item is the substantive one: parties who have reconciled are in a different position from parties who have simply remained apart.

The motion must be accompanied by an application for an order of notice to the adverse party, since the case has been dormant and the other party must be brought back before the court.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I convert a Connecticut legal separation into a divorce?

By a motion for a decree finally dissolving the marriage or civil union, stating the case number of the separation, the date of the separation decree, and whether the parties have resumed relations since it, accompanied by an application for an order of notice.

Source & verification. The section text is reproduced verbatim from the official Connecticut Practice Book (Conn. Practice Book § 25-36). Prescribed by the Judges of the Superior Court of Connecticut (Conn. Gen. Stat. Section 51-14). The plain-English summary is original and written by us. Last verified July 9, 2026. · Official source
Also known as: converting legal separation to divorce ConnecticutPractice Book section 25-36final dissolution after legal separation CT