Category: Legal Education

The legal term for representing yourself is Pro Se.  Many of our clients find that they are unable to afford an attorney and do not qualify for free legal assistance.  There are many resources available to you if you are representing yourself.

She Leads Justice offers the assistance of our community advocate.  Our community advocate is available to meet with clients one-on-one to assist in navigation of the court system, proper forms, and provide support in an emotionally charged situation.  While She Leads Justice does assist clients in this way, we do not have attorneys on staff and cannot provide legal advice.  To make an appointment to meet with the advocate, call (860) 247-6090.

She Leads Justice and other organizations publish informational booklets on legal topics that can be helpful to clients representing themselves:

• Child Support
• How to Modify Alimony
• Child Support and Alimony
• Child Custody
• Child Visitation
• Court Costs and Fees
• Divorce Basics
• Divorce and Children
• Divorce and Money
• Do It Yourself Divorce Guide
• Pregnancy & Family Medical Leave Act
• Restraining Orders
• Sexual Harrassment in the Workplace
• Title IX
• Women, Work & Sex Discrimination 

In addition to these publications, the specific steps and forms necessary to file for divorce can be found on our website here. The forms to file for custody can be found here.

Disclaimer: These booklets are intended to help individuals understand their legal rights. These booklets are not a substitute for the personalized legal advice of an attorney. She Leads Justice makes referrals to attorneys who specialize in these areas.

As a women’s rights agency founded in the wake of the struggle for equal credit, She Leads Justice knows all too well the ways that discrimination can affect the lives of women and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people stepping outside of gender roles. If you have questions, She Leads Justice’s Information & Referral (I&R) service can help you understand your rights and explain your options.

You can contact She Leads Justice’s I&R service online or by calling (860) 524-0601 in the Greater Hartford Area or toll-free at 1-800-479-2949. She Leads Justice’s I&R line is open Monday through Thursday from 9am to 2pm and Fridays from 9am to 1pm.

To meet an advocate in person in the Greater Hartford or New Haven area, call (860) 247-6090 to schedule an appointment.

Booklets

She Leads Justice publishes informational booklets on many legal topics.  Please call the I&R line if you are interested in receiving booklets. Some of our booklets are also available to download here.

FAQ

What legal issues do I face as an older woman that I didn’t when I was younger?

• Age discrimination in employment
• Age discrimination in housing
• Right to alimony, medical benefits, and child support after divorce
• Retirement and social security benefits
• Wills and trusts
• Living wills
• Elder abuse

How do I know I’m being discriminated against at work because of my age?

You might be the target of age discrimination if:

• you are paid less than a younger worker for doing essentially the same job,
• you have trained younger workers and they have been promoted over you to jobs with higher pay and responsibility,
• you were told at a job interview that you were overqualified because you have more education or experience than the job requires,
•  you have other evidence that your age affects how your employer treats you.

There are laws to protect you and state agencies that can help you file a claim of discrimination.

What is a living will?

A living will is a document stating your wishes concerning your health care if you are in a terminal state or permanently unconscious, and is most frequently referred to in the context of decisions to remove life support. Anyone can make a living will; you do not need an attorney, but state law requires you to be of sound mind and to have the document signed in front of two witnesses. It is always wise to have an attorney review any such document to make sure it meets statutory requirements. The Connecticut State Department of Social Services or your regional Area Agency on Aging can give you printed forms to help you draft a living will without legal assistance.

She Leads Justice pioneered Connecticut’s battle for workplace equity. If you feel you are being discriminated against or harassed at work, call one of our experienced advocates. She Leads Justice’s advocates will help you understand your rights and explain your options.

You can contact She Leads Justice’s I&R service online or by calling (860) 524-0601 in the Greater Hartford Area or toll-free at 1-800-479-2949. She Leads Justice’s I&R line is open Monday through Thursday from 9am to 2pm and Fridays from 9am to 1pm.

To meet an advocate in person in the Greater Hartford or New Haven area, call (860) 247-6090 to schedule an appointment.

Booklets

She Leads Justice publishes informational booklets on many legal topics.  Please call the I&R line if you are interested in receiving booklets. Some of our booklets are also available to download here.

FAQ

Pregnancy and Family Medical Leave in CT

Download the PFML booklet here

What is pregnancy leave?
Pregnancy leave is an unpaid leave of absence for a reasonable length of time for the disability resulting from pregnancy or childbirth. Generally, the amount of time off considered reasonable is six to eight weeks. But this can vary depending on your condition.

Can I get paid while I’m out on leave?
All of the state and federal laws provide for unpaid leave. However, an employer can adopt a policy requiring you to take any of your unused sick time or vacation time during the leave period. Once you run out of sick or vacation time, the rest of the leave will be unpaid.

Do my health insurance benefits continue during my family or medical leave?
Under the federal law only, all employers are required to continue group health plan benefits for employees on family or medical leave – your insurance coverage must continue up to twelve weeks.

Does my employer have to give me my job back?
Yes. When you return you must be given the original job you held or a similar job with similar pay. There are exceptions if a private company can show that circumstances have changed so much that it would be impossible for them to hire you back or place you in the same or similar position.

What is Pregnancy and Family Medical Leave? Who can qualify for Family and Medical Leave?
PFMLA provides both men and women rights to unpaid leave:

• For the birth or adoption of a child
• To care for a very ill child, spouse, or parent
• For your own serious illness

How does one qualify for Pregnancy and Family Medical Leave?
Under Federal law, a private employer must have 50+ employees within a 75-mile radius and the employee must have worked 1250 hours within a 12-month period.

Under CT State law, a private employer must have 75+ employees within the State of Connecticut and the employee must have worked 1000 hours within a 12-month period.

For more information, contact She Leads Justice to receive our Pregnancy and Family Medical Leave in CT booklet.

Sexual Harassment at Work

What is sexual harassment?               

Sexual harassment is a form of illegal sex discrimination. It is unwelcome sexual conduct that affects the terms and conditions of a person’s employment, or creates a hostile environment. In order for something to be considered sexual harassment, it must meet certain criteria. She Leads Justice’s booklet on Sexual Harassment in the Workplace outlines these criteria.

How do I know if my situation is considered sexual harassment under the law?

• Sexual harassment can include:
• Sexual propositions accompanied by threats to your job
• Lewd comments or suggestions
• Obscene jokes or emails
• Sexual gestures

What should I do if I feel I’m being sexually harassed?
Refer to your company’s sexual harassment policy and follow the procedure for filing a complaint. Keep a record of the harassment. If possible, try talking to the source of the problem or writing them a letter.

What legal action can I take if my employer does not deal with the sexual harassment?
You can file a complaint with the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities within 180 days from the time you realize the discriminatory act has occurred. If you miss this deadline, you can file with the Equal Employment Opportunities Commission within 240 days.

As an employer, how do I avoid sexual harassment in the workplace?
You should develop comprehensive sexual harassment policies and an effective grievance procedure to handle cases should they arise. Your supervisors should receive training on their responsibilities.

She Leads Justice has decades of experience advocating for equal education opportunities. Whether you have questions on Title IX, sexual harassment or another issue, She Leads Justice’s I&R service can help you understand your rights and explain your options.

You can contact She Leads Justice’s I&R service online or by calling (860) 524-0601 in the Greater Hartford Area or toll-free at 1-800-479-2949. She Leads Justice’s I&R line is open Monday through Thursday from 9am to 2pm and Fridays from 9am to 1pm.

To meet an advocate in person in the Greater Hartford or New Haven area, call (860) 247-6090 to schedule an appointment.

Booklets

She Leads Justice publishes informational booklets on many legal topics.  Please call the I&R line if you are interested in receiving booklets. Some of our booklets are also available to download here.

FAQ

Sexual Harassment in the Workplace and Students

How can students and employers protect themselves from sexual harassment in the workplace?

An ongoing study conducted by She Leads Justice found a need for today’s youth to learn about workplace harassment and discrimination. Many students cannot properly identify sexually harassing behaviors which can make them susceptible to becoming victimized.

She Leads Justice has created a new curriculum module that teaches about the many forms of sexual harassment and how to best protect oneself from harassment. Additionally, She Leads Justice put together a presentation that will take you through the curriculum with a more interactive approach.

Sexual Harassment in School

What is my school responsible for?    

The school is responsible for:

• Making public who the Title IX Coordinator is
• Reinforcing that sexual harassment will not be tolerated
• Posting guidelines on how to report incidents
• Following through on a sexual harassment complaint

As a student, whom can I talk to if I feel I’m being harassed? Go directly to your Title IX Coordinator – to fully protect your rights, you must ultimately report it to them. If you don’t know who that is, talk to a favorite teacher or other staff person at the school.

Gender Equity in School Sports

What is Title IX?                                                                                                 

Title IX is the federal law that prohibits schools from treating students differently simply because of their gender.

My school spends more money on the boys’ programs than the girls’ programs. Is this a Title IX violation?                                                                                  

Title IX does not require that schools spend the same amount of money on boys’ and girls’ sports. Instead, schools should show the reasons for this imbalance.

Thinking about starting a divorce? Not getting your child support payments? Need to modify a court order? Have questions? We have answers.

You can contact She Leads Justice’s I&R service online or by calling (860) 524-0601 in the Greater Hartford Area or toll-free at 1-800-479-2949. She Leads Justice’s I&R line is open Monday through Thursday from 9am to 2pm and Fridays from 9am to 1pm.

If you are seeking support because you are representing yourself in your court case, we also have advocates who can meet with you in person in Hartford or New Haven, call (860) 247-6090 to schedule an appointment.

By calling and speaking to one of our representatives you can learn more about the legal process and potentially receive referrals to attorneys for consultations and other agencies if necessary.

Booklets

She Leads Justice publishes informational booklets on many legal topics.  Please call the I&R line if you are interested in receiving booklets. Some of our booklets are also available to download here.

FAQs 

Divorce

How can I get a divorce?

In Connecticut there are three ways to get a divorce. You can:

1. Hire an attorney
2. Do the process pro se (represent yourself)
3. Start the process pro se and then hire an attorney Pro se generally works best if the parties agree on most of the issues around the children, the finances and the property. You must file an action in court and can get a “Do It Yourself Divorce” guide packet also known as “Dissolution of Marriage” from the Court Service Center or online at www.jud.state.ct.us. The divorce process can take from 6 months or more depending on what is involved.

What is the cost of the divorce?

The cost of the divorce will vary greatly depending on the circumstances and whether or not you hire an attorney. There are, however, a few fees that everyone must pay. The cost to file for divorce is $300. If you have children from the marriage then you will need to take a parenting class, which costs $125 per parent. This class is state mandated. In order to serve the other person with divorce papers you must hire a state marshal. This fee is between $50-$75. If you do not know where your spouse is located, there will be an additional fee of approximately $350 to publish a Legal Notice.

What if I cannot afford the fees?

If you think you cannot afford the court fees, you can file a fee waiver application with the court. The form you will need is the Application for Waiver of Fees/Appointment of Counsel JD-FM-75, which can be found online here or at the Court Service Center. This document is a financial affidavit the court uses to determine your ability to pay the fees. Therefore, you want to make sure you list all of your monthly expenses in addition to your income. If the court finds that you qualify for the waiver, you will not have to pay the fees.

Does Connecticut have common law marriage?

No. Even if you have lived with the same person for a number of years, Connecticut does not consider you married. However, if you have children together, you can ask the court to establish custody, support and visitation orders. If you have property together, you may want to consult a lawyer to help assist with the division of property.

What if my spouse does not want a divorce?

Only one person has to claim that the marriage has irretrievably broken down. The only person who can stop the divorce process is the person who started the divorce process.

Initial steps for filing for divorce:

1. Retrieve the required forms from a Court Service Center or online here.  You will need:
   1. Summons Family Action JD-FM-3
   2. Divorce Complaint/Cross Complaint JD-FM-159
   3. Notice of Automatic Court Orders JD-FM-158
2. Fill out the required forms and bring them to the court clerk at the Court Service Center to be filed.  The court clerk will return the original divorce forms to you and give you a return date.
3. Find a court marshal (lists available at the Court Service Centers) to serve your spouse with the papers.  You should give the marshal the original divorce forms along with a copy.
4. After the marshal serves the papers, he/she will give you a Return of Service document that must be filed with the court clerk.  Check with the marshal to see if he/she filed the original divorce forms with the court, if not, you should file them along with the Return of Service.  Both the Return of Service and the original divorce forms must be filed at least six days before the assigned Return Date.

Custody

How do I establish custody?
If you are getting a divorce and have children from the marriage, you can ask the court to establish orders of custody. If you have never been married and have child(ren) together, you can ask the court to establish orders of custody and visitation by filing a motion in court, the necessary steps and forms can be found online here. There are three types of custody:

Joint legal custody, which usually means parents share in decision-making. Many variations/combinations are possible.

Joint physical custody, which usually means the child(ren) live some of the time with one parent and some of the time with the other parent. Many variations/combinations are possible.

Sole custody, which usually means the child(ren) have primary residence with one parent and that parent has the right to make all the decisions about the child(ren).

Child Support

How do I establish child support?

As soon as one parent is no longer living with the child(ren) an order can be established. If you are going through a divorce process, you will need to file a motion for temporary child support. A permanent child support order will be put into effect once the divorce is final. If you are separated and have not filed for a divorce, you can call the Bureau of Child Support Enforcement, Information and Problem-solving Resolution Unit at 1-800-228-5437. They will ask for all your financial information and your ex-partner’s information, and will establish a child support order. There is a $25 charge for this service.

What documents do I need to establish a child support order? How does the court determine how much child support needs to be paid?

You will need to collect financial information from both parents. This includes wages and other income as well as debts and expenses. The court uses statewide guidelines to make fair and consistent support orders. Copies of the guidelines are available to the public free of charge at court clerks’ offices throughout the state, or online at www.jud.state.ct.us/pub.htm.

Can I get child support even if we were never married?

Yes. You can have a child support order established through the Bureau of Child Support Enforcement by calling their Information and Problem-solving Resolution Unit at 1-800-228-5437. They will ask you for all your financial information and your ex-partner’s information, and will establish a child support order. There is a $25 charge for this service.

Can a child support order ever be modified?

Yes, child support orders can be modified if:

• the financial situation of one or both parents changes,
• the support order is no longer adequate to meet the needs of the child,
• the support order did not include medical insurance,
• the circumstances of either parent or the child have changed substantially.

How do I get a modification?

You can do one of two things. You can 1) ask for a review and adjustment from the Support Enforcement Services, or 2) file a motion for modification of child support with the court. Requests for review and adjustment of your case should be made in writing to your support enforcement officer and should state the reason(s) you believe the order should be changed. The state has 180 days from your request to complete the review of your order and present the modification request to the court.

If you decide to file a motion to modify child support, you will need to have a Marshal serve the paper work. You will have a court date within 30 days. The motion costs roughly $175 and the Marshal fee is between $50-$75.

Contact our I&R staff online or by phone anytime with further questions.