Section 25-9.—Answer, Cross Complaint, Claims for Relief by Defendant
Current through August 12, 2025 (2026 Practice Book edition) · Last verified July 9, 2026
In one sentenceThis section gives the defendant in a dissolution, legal separation or annulment case two additional pleadings — an answer, or an answer and cross complaint — and says what each must contain.
The defendant in a dissolution of marriage or civil union, legal separation, or annulment matter may file, in addition to the above mentioned pleadings, one of the following pleadings which shall comply with Sections 10-1, 10-3, 10-5, 10-7, 10-8 and 10-12 through 10-17, 10-18 and 10-19 inclusive:
(1)An answer may be filed which denies or admits the allegations of the complaint, or which states that the defendant has insufficient information to form a belief and leaves the pleader to his or her proof, and which may set forth the defendant’s claims for relief.
(2)An answer and cross complaint may be filed which denies or admits the allegations of the complaint, or which states that the defendant has insufficient information to form a belief and leaves the pleader to his or her proof, and which alleges the grounds upon which a dissolution, legal separation or annulment is sought by the defendant and specifies therein the claims for relief.
End
Amendment History
(P.B. 1978-1997, Sec. 456.) (Amended June 28, 1999, to take effect Jan. 1, 2000; amended June 26, 2006, to take effect Jan. 1, 2007.)
Plain-English Summary
Beyond the pleadings already available, a defendant in a dissolution of marriage or civil union, legal separation or annulment matter may file one of two things, each complying with the general civil rules on pleadings the section lists.
An answer denies or admits the allegations of the complaint, or states that the defendant has insufficient information to form a belief and leaves the plaintiff to their proof, and it may set out the defendant’s own claims for relief.
An answer and cross complaint does the same and goes further: it alleges the grounds on which the defendant seeks a dissolution, legal separation or annulment and specifies the claims for relief sought. A defendant who wants the court to dissolve the marriage on their own allegations, rather than simply respond to the plaintiff’s, files this.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can a defendant file in a Connecticut divorce?
An answer, which admits or denies the complaint’s allegations and may set out claims for relief; or an answer and cross complaint, which also alleges the defendant’s own grounds for dissolution, legal separation or annulment and specifies the relief sought.
What is a cross complaint in a divorce?
A pleading in which the defendant alleges the grounds on which they seek the dissolution, legal separation or annulment and specifies their claims for relief.
Source & verification. The section text is reproduced verbatim from the
official Connecticut Practice Book (Conn. Practice Book § 25-9). 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:answering a divorce complaint ConnecticutPractice Book section 25-9cross complaint divorce CTdefendant claims for relief Connecticut divorce