MARITAL SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT

(State of Connecticut)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. Document Header
II. Definitions
III. Operative Provisions
    A. Property Division
    B. Spousal Support (Alimony)
    C. Child Custody & Parenting Plan
    D. Child Support
    E. Insurance & Benefits
    F. Tax Matters
    G. Debts & Liabilities
    H. Retirement Assets & QDROs
IV. Representations & Warranties
V. Covenants & Restrictions
VI. Default & Remedies
VII. Risk Allocation
VIII. Dispute Resolution
IX. General Provisions
X. Execution Block

I. DOCUMENT HEADER

1. Parties
   This Marital Settlement Agreement (the “Agreement”) is entered into by and between [Full Legal Name of Spouse 1], residing at [Address] (“Spouse 1”), and [Full Legal Name of Spouse 2], residing at [Address] (“Spouse 2”; together with Spouse 1, the “Parties”).

2. Effective Date
   This Agreement shall become effective on the later of (i) the date executed by the last-signing Party, or (ii) the date the Connecticut Superior Court, Family Division (the “Court”) enters a Judgment of Dissolution incorporating this Agreement (the “Effective Date”).

3. Recitals
   A. The Parties were lawfully married on [Wedding Date] in [City, State] and have since experienced an irretrievable breakdown of the marriage.
   B. The Parties desire to resolve fully and finally all rights and obligations arising from their marriage, including property division, support, and all matters concerning their minor child(ren), pursuant to Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 46b-56, -81, -82, and -84 (2023).
   C. In consideration of the mutual promises and covenants herein, and intending to be legally bound, the Parties agree as follows.

II. DEFINITIONS

For ease of reference, capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings set forth below:

“Agreement” – This Marital Settlement Agreement, including all Schedules and Exhibits.
“Alimony” – Periodic spousal support payments, if any, owed pursuant to Article III.B.
“Child” or “Children” – The minor child(ren) of the Parties listed in Section III.C.1.
“Child Support Guidelines” – The Connecticut Child Support and Arrearage Guidelines in effect as of the Effective Date.
“Court” – The Connecticut Superior Court, Family Division, having jurisdiction over the dissolution action.
“Custodial Parent” – The parent with primary physical custody as specified in the Parenting Plan.
“Effective Date” – As defined in Section I.2.
“Marital Assets” – All property subject to equitable distribution under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46b-81, as itemized on Schedule A.
“Marital Debts” – All liabilities allocated under Section III.G, itemized on Schedule B.
“Parenting Plan” – The custody and visitation provisions set forth in Section III.C.
“QDRO” – A qualified domestic relations order dividing retirement assets pursuant to Section III.H.
“Schedules” – Schedule A (Assets), Schedule B (Debts), Schedule C (Parenting Time Calendar), and any additional attachments.

[// GUIDANCE: Add or delete defined terms to match actual provisions.]

III. OPERATIVE PROVISIONS

A. PROPERTY DIVISION

1. Equitable Distribution
   The Parties acknowledge that Connecticut is an equitable distribution state. Pursuant to Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46b-81, the Parties agree to the allocations in Schedule A, which shall constitute a full and final division of all Marital Assets.

2. Real Property
   a. Marital Residence – The real property located at [Address] (the “Marital Home”) shall be [transferred to Spouse 1 / listed for sale under the terms in Exhibit 1].
   b. The non-titled spouse shall execute all documents required to effectuate the foregoing transfer within [30] days of the Effective Date.

3. Personal Property
   Personal property shall be divided as set forth in Schedule A-1. Each Party waives any claim to items allocated to the other.

4. Financial Accounts
   Bank, brokerage, and cryptocurrency accounts shall be distributed as listed on Schedule A-2. Transfers shall occur within [10] business days.

5. Valuation & Tax Consequences
   Unless otherwise stated, asset values reflect fair-market value as of [Valuation Date]. The Parties acknowledge potential tax implications and agree to consult independent tax professionals. Neither Party shall hold the other liable for post-Effective-Date tax consequences arising from agreed allocations.

[// GUIDANCE: Insert liquidated damages clause if delayed transfers are a concern.]

B. SPOUSAL SUPPORT (ALIMONY)

1. Term & Amount
   Spouse [X] (“Payor”) shall pay to Spouse [Y] (“Payee”) Alimony of $[____] per [week/month], commencing [Start Date] and continuing for [__] years, or until the earliest of:
   a. Payee’s remarriage or cohabitation as defined by Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46b-86(b);
   b. Either Party’s death; or
   c. Further order of the Court.

2. Modifiability
   Alimony shall be [modifiable / non-modifiable] except as expressly provided herein or by statute.

3. Security
   Payor shall maintain life insurance in the face amount of $[____] naming Payee as beneficiary, as security for Alimony, for the duration of the Alimony term.

4. Tax Treatment
   Alimony shall be [deductible / non-deductible] to Payor and [taxable / non-taxable] to Payee under current federal law. The Parties understand tax laws may change and assume associated risks.

C. CHILD CUSTODY & PARENTING PLAN

1. Minor Child(ren)
   a. [Child 1 Name], born [DOB]
   b. [Child 2 Name], born [DOB]

2. Legal Custody
   The Parties shall have [joint / sole to Spouse __] legal custody pursuant to Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46b-56.

3. Physical Custody & Parenting Schedule
   Physical custody shall be [joint / primary to Spouse __] under the Parenting Plan in Schedule C, which includes regular, holiday, vacation, and special-day allocations.

4. Decision-Making
   Major decisions regarding health, education, and religion require [joint / sole] parental agreement as detailed in Schedule C-1.

5. Relocation
   Neither Party shall relocate with the Children outside [specified radius] without the other Party’s written consent or Court order.

6. Right of First Refusal
   If a custodial period will be missed for [__] hours or more, the other parent shall be offered the opportunity to care for the Children before alternate childcare is arranged.

7. Communication & Access
   Each Party shall have reasonable telephone, text, and video communication with the Children during the other’s custodial time, subject to age-appropriate limits.

D. CHILD SUPPORT

1. Guidelines Compliance
   Child Support shall be calculated under the Child Support Guidelines. Based on the Parties’ current incomes ([insert monthly gross incomes]), Payor shall remit $[____] per week to Payee via the Connecticut Support Enforcement Services (SES).

2. Health Insurance & Unreimbursed Medicals
   Payor shall maintain health and dental insurance for the Children. Unreimbursed medical expenses shall be shared [__ % Payor / __ % Payee] after the first $[250] per child per calendar year paid by Payee.

3. Childcare & Extracurriculars
   Work-related childcare costs and mutually agreed extracurricular expenses shall be apportioned [__ % / __ %].

4. Post-Majority Educational Support
   The Parties [agree / do not agree] to contribute to post-secondary educational expenses pursuant to Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46b-56c, subject to a cap of [state university tuition] and detailed in Exhibit 2.

E. INSURANCE & BENEFITS

1. Life Insurance for Children’s Benefit
   Each Party shall maintain life insurance in the face amount of $[____], designating the Children (or a Trust for their benefit) as irrevocable beneficiaries until the youngest Child reaches [age].

2. Automobile & Umbrella Policies
   Upon transfer of vehicle ownership, each Party shall independently procure insurance consistent with Connecticut minimum statutory limits.

F. TAX MATTERS

1. Filing Status
   The Parties will file [jointly / married-separate / separate] for tax year [____] if legally permissible and mutually beneficial.

2. Dependency Exemptions & Tax Credits
   The Parties shall allocate dependency exemptions as follows: [alternate yearly / Payee every year / etc.]. The claiming Party must be current on support obligations as of December 31 of the tax year.

3. Indemnification
   Each Party shall indemnify and hold harmless the other from any additional taxes, interest, or penalties attributable to that Party’s income or deductions post-Effective-Date.

G. DEBTS & LIABILITIES

1. Marital Debts
   Debts listed on Schedule B are allocated as indicated therein. Each assuming Party shall promptly hold the other harmless and indemnify against those obligations.

2. Indemnity Procedure
   A Party seeking indemnification shall provide written notice and supporting documentation, and the indemnifying Party shall cure within [30] days.

H. RETIREMENT ASSETS & QDROs

1. Division
   Retirement accounts shall be divided by QDRO as follows: [__ %] of [Plan Name] to [Spouse] based on [separation/valuation] date.

2. QDRO Preparation Costs
   Drafting fees shall be [split equally / paid by Recipient]. Parties shall cooperate and execute all necessary documents within [45] days.

3. Survivor Benefits
   Recipient shall be named as [alternate payee/surviving spouse] as permitted under the plan.

IV. REPRESENTATIONS & WARRANTIES

1. Full Disclosure
   Each Party represents that all assets, liabilities, and income have been fully disclosed and schedules are true and complete.

2. Independent Counsel & Voluntariness
   Each Party acknowledges the opportunity to retain independent counsel, has read this Agreement, understands its provisions, and executes it voluntarily without duress.

3. Capacity
   Each Party has legal capacity to enter into this Agreement and is not subject to bankruptcy or other legal disability.

4. Survival
   Representations and warranties shall survive the Effective Date and the Court’s entry of judgment.

V. COVENANTS & RESTRICTIONS

1. Further Assurances
   Each Party shall execute further instruments and take additional steps reasonably necessary to effectuate this Agreement.

2. Non-Disparagement
   Neither Party shall disparage the other in the presence of the Children or on social media.

3. Confidentiality
   Financial disclosures attached hereto shall remain confidential except as required by law or Court order.

4. Continuing Jurisdiction
   The Court shall retain jurisdiction to enforce or modify this Agreement where statutorily permissible.

VI. DEFAULT & REMEDIES

1. Event of Default
   A Party’s failure to make a required payment or perform an obligation within [15] days after written notice constitutes a default.

2. Cure Period
   The defaulting Party shall have [15] additional days to cure after notice.

3. Remedies
   a. Enforcement through wage withholding, contempt, execution, or other statutory remedies.
   b. Reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs to the prevailing Party in any enforcement action.

4. Graduated Consequences
   Continued noncompliance after a contempt finding may result in escalating sanctions including fines, modification of parenting time, or incarceration as authorized by law.

VII. RISK ALLOCATION

1. Mutual Indemnification
   Subject to Section VII.2, each Party (the “Indemnifying Party”) shall indemnify, defend, and hold the other harmless from claims, damages, or liabilities arising from the Indemnifying Party’s breach of this Agreement or failure to pay the debts allocated to that Party.

2. Liability Cap
   Except for willful misconduct or failure to pay child support or alimony, each Party’s aggregate indemnity liability shall not exceed the value of that Party’s distributed Marital Assets.

3. Force Majeure
   Obligations (other than support) shall be tolled during events of force majeure—including natural disasters or governmental orders—rendering performance impossible; performance shall resume promptly upon cessation.

VIII. DISPUTE RESOLUTION

1. Governing Law
   This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Connecticut.

2. Forum Selection
   Exclusive jurisdiction and venue shall lie in the Connecticut Superior Court, Family Division, [Judicial District].

3. Mediation Requirement
   Except for emergencies (e.g., restraining orders), the Parties shall attempt in good faith to resolve disputes through mediation with a mutually selected mediator before filing any motion for post-judgment relief.

4. Arbitration (Limited)
   Property-related disputes may be submitted to binding arbitration under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-408 et seq. Custody or support issues shall not be arbitrated absent Court approval.

5. Injunctive Relief
   Nothing herein limits either Party’s right to seek immediate injunctive relief, including restraining orders under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46b-15.

IX. GENERAL PROVISIONS

1. Amendment & Waiver
   Any modification must be in writing, signed by both Parties, and approved by the Court where required. Waiver of any breach shall not constitute waiver of a subsequent breach.

2. Assignment
   Rights and obligations are personal and non-assignable, except as required for QDRO implementation or insurance beneficiary designations.

3. Successors & Assigns
   This Agreement is binding upon and inures to the benefit of the Parties and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, and permitted assigns.

4. Severability
   If any provision is held invalid, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force, and the invalid provision shall be reformed to the minimum extent necessary to comply with applicable law.

5. Integration
   This Agreement, including all Schedules and Exhibits, constitutes the entire agreement between the Parties, superseding all prior oral or written understandings.

6. Counterparts & Electronic Signatures
   This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which is deemed an original. Signatures transmitted electronically or by facsimile shall be treated as originals for all purposes.

X. EXECUTION BLOCK

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties execute this Agreement as of the dates set forth below.

Notary Acknowledgments

State of Connecticut, County of [____] )
On this __ day of ____, 20__, before me, the undersigned notary public, personally appeared [Spouse 1 Name], proved to me through satisfactory evidence of identification to be the person whose name is signed above, and acknowledged executing the foregoing instrument.

Notary Public
My Commission Expires: ____

(Repeat Notary Block for Spouse 2)

SCHEDULE A – Marital Assets Allocation

[Attach detailed spreadsheet itemizing real property, bank accounts, vehicles, etc.]

SCHEDULE B – Marital Debts Allocation

[Attach detailed list of mortgages, credit cards, student loans, etc.]

SCHEDULE C – Parenting Time Calendar

[Insert monthly calendar or narrative schedule]

EXHIBIT 1 – Sale of Marital Home Procedures

[Optional detailed sale protocol]

EXHIBIT 2 – Post-Secondary Educational Support Details

[Optional]

[// GUIDANCE: Customize Schedules and Exhibits to reflect actual facts; review all placeholders.]