Louden, McGrath, Bryan & Bissonnette LLC

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Louden, McGrath, Bryan & Bissonnette LLC Louden, McGrath, Bryan & Bissonnette, with over 100 years of combined experience, practices family law throughout CT.

We believe that every person should have the opportunity for a fulfilling life, and we implement that belief by doing all that we reasonably can to help our clients move toward this objective in the divorce process. Dissolution of a marriage is a major life event. Divorcing couples, individually or together, experience the sorrow and confusion that comes with the end of a once-treasured union. Often there is guilt, a profound sense of betrayal, and fear for the future. All too often we have seen the results of lawyering that aggravates, rather than calms, an already troublesome situation. In keeping with a spirit of empowerment, the firm’s lawyers believe in working to see that our clients emerge positively, with our experience being that many of our clients end up as better friends with their former spouses than before the divorce process began. We have given careful consideration to our values, professionally and personally, and believe that lawyers in divorce cases can be a force for ameliorating the issues that led to a divorce proceeding. We do this through the manner in which we deal with (a) our clients, (b) sister or brother counsel, (c) the spouses of our clients, (d) other experts in the case, and (e) other people significant in the lives of any children involved.

Child support isn’t a store credit.In the CT family law case Borsey v. Borsey, the Appellate Court found: (1) A parent w...
10/01/2026

Child support isn’t a store credit.

In the CT family law case Borsey v. Borsey, the Appellate Court found: (1) A parent who voluntarily overpays child support cannot bank the excess as a credit when the other parent later wins a modification. (2) An order that "denies" modification while crediting overpayments is, in substance, a grant of the modification. (3) A parent's offer to give the child $12,000 toward her first year of college satisfied the threshold for a post-secondary educational support order.

Read our Managing Partner's summary of the Appellate Court’s decision at the link below.

If your divorce agreement includes complex financial settlements and parenting plan conditions, be sure to seek out an experienced family law attorney, as every case is different.

While we pride ourselves on our depth of litigation experience, staying ahead of potential problems and addressing them amicably is an important part of our commitment to doing all that we reasonably can to help our clients emerge positively from the divorce process.

https://lmbbfamilylaw.com/no-credit-for-voluntary-overpayment-no-credit-for-voluntary-overpayment-of-child-support-contribution-offer-satisfied-%c2%a7-46b-56c-threshold-borsey-v-borsey-241-conn-app-62-2026/

A concept of a plan is not a plan.In the CT family law case Milenkovic v. Milenkovic, a judge ordered two parents to "wo...
10/01/2026

A concept of a plan is not a plan.

In the CT family law case Milenkovic v. Milenkovic, a judge ordered two parents to "work immediately" with the GAL on a plan for overnights with their toddler. Months passed, no overnights happened, and the trial court held the mother in contempt. The Appellate Court reversed. The order set no deadline, never actually directed that overnights start, and gave no way to tell whether a parent had complied. It also mattered that the GAL herself testified the mother was cooperating. If you want overnights to start, get an order that says when they start and on what schedule.

Read our Managing Partner's summary of the Appellate Court’s decision at the link below.

If your parenting plan needs modification and includes a complex interpersonal relationship, be sure to seek out an experienced family law attorney, as every case is different.

While we pride ourselves on our depth of litigation experience, staying ahead of potential problems and addressing them amicably is an important part of our commitment to doing all that we reasonably can to help our clients emerge positively from the divorce process.

https://lmbbfamilylaw.com/ambiguity-for-contempt-order-to-work-immediately-in-working-out-a-parenting-plan-milenkovic-v-milenkovic-240-conn-app-493-2026/

The money you can’t count twice.The CT Appellate Court issued two Bohra v. Kochar decisions the same day: in one, two Ro...
09/30/2026

The money you can’t count twice.

The CT Appellate Court issued two Bohra v. Kochar decisions the same day: in one, two Roth IRAs and the cash value of a life insurance policy counted toward the roughly $118,000 in liquid assets that helped defeat Wife's request for $20,000 to defend the appeal, even though the trial court said on the record that it believed she should have the fees. Look at retirement accounts on the affidavit before you file, or oppose, a 46b-62 motion. In the other, the court awarded Husband his HSA as property and then ordered the children's uninsured medical bills paid from it first, which the Appellate Court vacated because you cannot award someone an asset and then let the other parent spend it. You can still earmark an HSA for the children, but the restriction has to be in the award itself, not a later paragraph.

Read our Managing Partner's summary of both Appellate Court decisions at the links below.

If your divorce or custody agreement includes complex financial settlements and conditions , be sure to seek out an experienced family law attorney, as every case is different.

While we pride ourselves on our depth of litigation experience, staying ahead of potential problems and addressing them amicably is an important part of our commitment to doing all that we reasonably can to help our clients emerge positively from the divorce process.

https://lmbbfamilylaw.com/denial-of-counsel-fees-to-defend-appeal-pursuant-to-46b-62-bohra-v-kochar-240-connapp-297-2026/

https://lmbbfamilylaw.com/hsa-awarded-to-one-parent-cannot-be-tapped-to-pay-the-childrens-unreimbursed-medical-expenses-discovery-compliance-and-imputed-income-are-credibility-calls-bohra-v-kochar-240-connapp-282-2026/

You’re right, but you were late.Gainty v. Infantino returned to the CT Appellate Court, which told Father his arrearage ...
09/28/2026

You’re right, but you were late.

Gainty v. Infantino returned to the CT Appellate Court, which told Father his arrearage was probably $683 too high, then made him pay it, because he never appealed the magistrate's decision within the fourteen days § 46b-231(n)(2) allows.

Read our Managing Partner's summary of the Appellate Court decision at the link below.

If your divorce or custody agreement includes complex financial settlements and conditions and a difficult interpersonal relationship, be sure to seek out an experienced family law attorney, as every case is different.

While we pride ourselves on our depth of litigation experience, staying ahead of potential problems and addressing them amicably is an important part of our commitment to doing all that we reasonably can to help our clients emerge positively from the divorce process.

https://lmbbfamilylaw.com/collateral-attack-appellate-counsel-fees-contempt-%c2%a7-46b-84c-disability-support-v-%c2%a7-46b-56c-educational-support-gainty-v-infantino-238-conn-app-780-2026/

“Come hell or high water.”In the CT family law case Morales v. Meehan, 239 Conn.App. 471 (2026). (1) when a judge retire...
09/23/2026

“Come hell or high water.”

In the CT family law case Morales v. Meehan, 239 Conn.App. 471 (2026). (1) when a judge retired mid-hearing, the husband agreed that the successor judge would decide on the existing record (General Statutes § 51-183f), and then stayed silent, forfeiting any “procedural fairness” objection; (2) a committee sale to collect an unpaid $183,000 property-division mortgage effectuated a judgment that retained jurisdiction over the property, it did not modify it; and (3) willfulness was an easy call where Husband cancelled his own listing and agreed he would keep the child in the home, “come hell or high water.”

Read our Managing Partner's summary of the Appellate Court decision at the link below.

If your divorce agreement includes complex financial settlements and conditions and a difficult interpersonal relationship, be sure to seek out an experienced family law attorney, as every case is different.

While we pride ourselves on our depth of litigation experience, staying ahead of potential problems and addressing them amicably is an important part of our commitment to doing all that we reasonably can to help our clients emerge positively from the divorce process.

https://lmbbfamilylaw.com/contempt-of-custody-and-property-orders-successor-judge-committee-sale-as-effectuation-not-modification-morales-v-meehan-239-conn-app-471-2026/

When the past meets the present.In the CT family law case Hamilton v. Hamilton, the trial judge gave father sole custody...
09/23/2026

When the past meets the present.

In the CT family law case Hamilton v. Hamilton, the trial judge gave father sole custody, relying in part on what he had learned about mother while presiding over her earlier divorce. Because nobody raised it and mother never got to respond, the CT Supreme Court called that improper judicial notice and reversed the legal custody award. The Court also held that a hearing on a motion is not a trial, no matter how many days of evidence it takes. That distinction decides which 120-day rule applies, and the rule for motions, Practice Book § 11-19, requires you to move for reassignment within 14 days after the deadline passes or you waive it.

Read our Managing Partner's summary of the CT Supreme Court decision at the link below.

If your divorce includes a difficult or complex interpersonal relationship, be sure to seek out an experienced family law attorney, as every case is different.

While we pride ourselves on our depth of litigation experience, staying ahead of potential problems and addressing them amicably is an important part of our commitment to doing all that we reasonably can to help our clients emerge positively from the divorce process.

https://lmbbfamilylaw.com/120-day-rule-for-family-motions-waiver-under-practice-book-%c2%a7-11-19-b-sua-sponte-judicial-notice-hamilton-v-hamilton-354-conn-639-2026/

A little cash from Mom and Dad: gift or income?In the CT family law case J.B. v. C.B., Father disclosed $1,500/month in ...
08/21/2026

A little cash from Mom and Dad: gift or income?

In the CT family law case J.B. v. C.B., Father disclosed $1,500/month in gifts from his parents but left them out of his income, and the trial court excluded them without ever saying why. The Appellate Court affirmed, inferring from a silent record (and the absence of any motion for articulation) that the trial court credited Father’s testimony that the payments were not likely to continue. The Appellate Court also upheld the court-ordered reunification therapist's testimony as fact testimony only, expert opinion on alienation and custody being irrelevant to the pending contempt motion.

Read our Managing Partner's summary of the Appellate Court decision at the link below.

If your divorce agreement includes complex financial settlements and conditions and a difficult interpersonal relationship, be sure to seek out an experienced family law attorney, as every case is different.

While we pride ourselves on our depth of litigation experience, staying ahead of potential problems and addressing them amicably is an important part of our commitment to doing all that we reasonably can to help our clients emerge positively from the divorce process.

https://lmbbfamilylaw.com/recurring-gifts-not-likely-to-continue-psychologist-as-fact-witness-jb-v-cb-238-connapp-664-2026/

A case of first impression.In the CT family law case R.D. v. G.D., the Appellate Court affirmed a dissolution judgment a...
07/24/2026

A case of first impression.

In the CT family law case R.D. v. G.D., the Appellate Court affirmed a dissolution judgment awarding Wife sole custody with no visitation to Husband, whose history of domestic violence and lack of insight supported the trial court's detailed best-interests findings. In an issue of first impression, the Court held that mandatory distributions from an inherited IRA are not income for child support purposes, reasoning that an inherited IRA functions more like a savings account than a retirement account. The Court also rejected a Dan v. Dan challenge to an initial alimony award based on a post-separation increase in income and upheld a $700k life insurance order sized with post-secondary education jurisdiction in view.

Read our Managing Partner's summary of the Appellate Court decision at the link below.

If your divorce agreement includes complex financial settlements and conditions and a difficult interpersonal relationship, be sure to seek out an experienced family law attorney, as every case is different.

While we pride ourselves on our depth of litigation experience, staying ahead of potential problems and addressing them amicably is an important part of our commitment to doing all that we reasonably can to help our clients emerge positively from the divorce process.

https://lmbbfamilylaw.com/inherited-ira-mandatory-distributions-not-income-for-child-support-no-visitation-not-abuse-of-discretion-life-insurance-upheld-with-consideration-of-factors-including-post-secondary-education-r-d/

Mission Accomplished... Elsewhere.The CT Appellate Court dismissed Chaco v. Lister as moot where, during its pendency, l...
07/23/2026

Mission Accomplished... Elsewhere.

The CT Appellate Court dismissed Chaco v. Lister as moot where, during its pendency, litigation in another judicial district afforded the appellant the very relief he sought on appeal.

Read our Managing Partner's summary of the Appellate Court decision at the link below.

If your divorce or custody case includes a difficult or complex interpersonal relationship, be sure to seek out an experienced family law attorney, as every case is different.

While we pride ourselves on our depth of litigation experience, staying ahead of potential problems and addressing them amicably is an important part of our commitment to doing all that we reasonably can to help our clients emerge positively from the divorce process.

https://lmbbfamilylaw.com/appeal-from-denial-of-visitation-application-dismissed-as-moot-where-father-was-pursuing-the-same-relief-in-a-parallel-action-in-another-judicial-district-chacho-v-lister-237-conn-app-806-2026/

The Price Is (Not) Right.The CT family law case McLaughlin v. McLaughlin stands primarily for the proposition that a non...
07/22/2026

The Price Is (Not) Right.

The CT family law case McLaughlin v. McLaughlin stands primarily for the proposition that a non-titled, non-expert party with sufficient familiarity with and interest in a property may testify as to its value. This continues a slow evolution towards permitting spouses to testify as to real property on which they are not titled. An appraisal remains the best evidence, however.

Read our Managing Partner's summary of the Appellate Court decision at the link below.

If your divorce agreement includes complex financial settlements and conditions and a difficult interpersonal relationship, be sure to seek out an experienced family law attorney, as every case is different.

While we pride ourselves on our depth of litigation experience, staying ahead of potential problems and addressing them amicably is an important part of our commitment to doing all that we reasonably can to help our clients emerge positively from the divorce process.

https://lmbbfamilylaw.com/valuation-of-real-property-by-non-titled-lay-witness-preservation-of-alimony-claim-under-premarital-agreement-mclaughlin-v-mclaughlin-237-conn-app-429-2026/

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638 Prospect Avenue
Hartford, CT
06105

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Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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