Torrington Legal Blog

The process of ending a marriage can be stressful enough for most couples in Connecticut going through the divorce process. Things can quickly get even more complicated if the party filing for divorce or their soon-to-be-ex-spouse suddenly loses their job before important decisions have been made.

Because each job loss situation is different, the court typically seeks details about the circumstances involved. For instance, if child support is sought by a lesser-earning spouse and the payor lost their job due to company layoffs, the court may be more willing to appropriately to disregard a previously reported income level. But if a job was lost due to misconduct, a court may be less likely to make adjustments with financial obligations.

Connecticut worksites in high places can put workers as well as the people below at risk. Dropped objects are the third most frequent cause of worker injuries in the construction industry, according to OSHA. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that there were 45,940 injuries in 2017 that involved a falling object. This accounted for 5.2% of all on-the-job injuries that year.

The BLS states that fatal falls reached a 26-year high in 2017 (1992 being the year when the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries was introduced), leading to 887 deaths. That came to 17% of all worker fatalities that year.

If you are an immigrant without papers but still engage in work in Connecticut, you may be unsure of the rights that you have. This will be especially true if you become injured on the job. Injuries cost money, and they can also lead to expensive medical bills. It is important that you understand your rights as an undocumented worker.

It is estimated that unauthorized employees comprise 5% of the national workforce. All employees, regardless of their immigration status, are entitled to overtime, unpaid wages, and breaks just like any other employee. In addition, state laws make it possible for undocumented immigrants to gain compensation in the event of injury.

Some divorced parents in Connecticut may find co-parenting a challenge. However, parents should try to avoid letting their feelings toward one another interfere with the relationship the child builds with either of them. Children should feel free to talk about their lives at the other parents' house, but they should not be put in the middle of things by being asked to carry messages back and forth. Parents should try to establish consistent rules in both households. This can be difficult, and in some cases, it may be best to aim for similar expectations.

Communication problems can lead to co-parenting problems. A visible calendar in both homes can serve as a reminder of the custody schedule for children and parents. There are also online tools that can help parents communicate and can save that communication in case they must enter mediation later. Children may ask about the divorce, and when they do, parents should try to be honest without blaming one another. If there is a chance of reconciliation, parents should still not raise this hope with their children. They should wait until it is certain.