Louden, McGrath, Bryan & Bissonnette LLC

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. Oft

en 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.

So close to an answer, and yet…In the CT family law case Walton v. Walton, the Supreme Court declined to answer the ques...
05/04/2026

So close to an answer, and yet…

In the CT family law case Walton v. Walton, the Supreme Court declined to answer the question as to whether the Practice Book’s § 25-32 “Mandatory Disclosure and Production” can compel production of an appraisal that has been objected to on the basis that the expert was not disclosed under § 13-4(f), on the basis that the question was not preserved for appeal. A question for a future decision.

Read our Managing Partner's summary of the Supreme Court decision at the link in our bio.

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.

“Curiouser and curiouser.” ~ Alice in WonderlandCuriously Per Curiam, in the CT family law case Levine v. Levine, the Ap...
05/01/2026

“Curiouser and curiouser.” ~ Alice in Wonderland

Curiously Per Curiam, in the CT family law case Levine v. Levine, the Appellate Court raised the bar slightly on probable cause Oneglia hearings (without mentioning Oneglia) for a motion to open for fraud and sends a warning shot that articulation may still be wielded as a cudgel by the court on appeal.

Read our Managing Partner's summary of the Appellate 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/probable-cause-of-fraud-to-permit-discovery-levine-v-levine-___-conn-app-___-2026/

School’s Out.In the CT family law case Zheng v. Xia, a parent's agreement to permit continued private school attendance,...
03/17/2026

School’s Out.

In the CT family law case Zheng v. Xia, a parent's agreement to permit continued private school attendance, conditioned on the other parent bearing all costs, did not constitute a substantial change in circumstances sufficient to modify a prior order denying contribution to private secondary education expenses. Hardisty remains controlling, and the burden is on the moving party to demonstrate a meaningful change since the last court order.

Read our Managing Partner's summary of the Appellate 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/secondary-education-costs-substantial-change-in-circumstances-zheng-v-xia-237-conn-app-242-2026/

A trial court can grant relocation at the time of judgment, even over a GAL's recommendation against it, if the factual ...
03/16/2026

A trial court can grant relocation at the time of judgment, even over a GAL's recommendation against it, if the factual record is detailed and the right statutory factors are applied. Referencing superseded case law isn't reversible error if the court otherwise applies the correct standard under § 46b-56. The CT family law case C.D. v. R.C. is a reminder that appellate courts defer heavily to fact-intensive custody determinations.

Read our Managing Partner's summary of the Appellate 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/relocation-legal-standard-and-abuse-of-discretion-c-d-v-r-c-237-conn-app-440-2026/

The $175 million question:The CT family law case Netter v. Netter asks and (partially) answers the $175m question: self-...
03/13/2026

The $175 million question:

The CT family law case Netter v. Netter asks and (partially) answers the $175m question: self-settled trusts secretly created from the marital estate while the marriage was in jeopardy are void as against public policy and subject to distribution under C.G.S. § 46b-81. However, a spendthrift trust established prior to the marriage by a third party required a closer look under Bender before landing in the marital estate and resulted in a reversal of the entire financial mosaic.

Read our Managing Partner's summary of the Appellate 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/when-is-a-trust-a-marital-asset-under-46b-81-netter-v-netter-235-conn-app-774-2025/

The waiting is the hardest part: The CT family law case Shear v. Shear is another example of a custody and parenting app...
02/12/2026

The waiting is the hardest part: The CT family law case Shear v. Shear is another example of a custody and parenting appeal being rendered moot when the appealed orders were modified by the trial court after the appeal was filed. In the world of custody and parenting, patience, changing the circumstances (in a good way), and then filing a new motion to modify are often the better choice than taking an appeal.

Read our Managing Partner's summary of the Appellate 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/new-custody-and-parenting-order-renders-appeal-of-prior-order-moot-shear-v-shear-235-conn-app-769-2025/

We are pleased to announce that Kathryn Bissonnette has joined the firm as a Partner, and that the firm is now known as ...
02/04/2026

We are pleased to announce that Kathryn Bissonnette has joined the firm as a Partner, and that the firm is now known as Louden, McGrath, Bryan & Bissonnette LLC. We are also happy to welcome Timothy Cieslak as an Associate, further strengthening our team.

In addition, longtime partner Robert Katz retired in 2025 after more than four decades of dedicated family law practice. While he is no longer accepting cases, clients who have worked with Bob or who find the firm through his name can be confident their matters will be handled by the firm’s current partners with the same care, experience, and commitment to excellence.

“This is an exciting moment for our firm,” said Managing Partner David McGrath. “We are thrilled to welcome Katie as a partner and Tim as an associate, both of whom bring talent, experience, and fresh perspective to our work with families. At the same time, we are deeply grateful for Bob’s decades of leadership and friendship, which helped shape the firm we are today. As we honor that legacy and welcome new voices, we are confident in the firm’s direction and energized about the future.”

Please join us in welcoming Katie and Tim. And the name change also means a new URL for our website and staff email addresses: LMBBfamilylaw.com. Be sure to update our information in your contacts list!

https://lmbbfamilylaw.com/kathryn-bissonnette-joins-as-partner-firm-changes-name-to-louden-mcgrath-bryan-bissonnette-llc/

Slightly clearer: In Villao v. Paz the CT Appellate Court weighs in (on these specific facts) that an award of legal fee...
12/12/2025

Slightly clearer:

In Villao v. Paz the CT Appellate Court weighs in (on these specific facts) that an award of legal fees was stayed pending appeal. This issue has long been a grey area, and is now (less) grey.

Read our Managing Partner's summary of the Appellate 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://lkmbfamilylaw.com/counsel-fees-award-appellate-stay-villao-v-paz-235-conn-app-501-2025/

Congratulations to LKMB partners Bruce Louden and David McGrath, who were again selected for inclusion in 2025 Connectic...
10/29/2025

Congratulations to LKMB partners Bruce Louden and David McGrath, who were again selected for inclusion in 2025 Connecticut Super Lawyers®, and to associate attorneys Kayleigh Bowman, Caitlin Pfeiffer, and Ashley Cervin, who were named Rising Stars.

Each year, no more than five percent of the lawyers in Connecticut are selected by the research team at Super Lawyers® to receive this honor.

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://lkmbfamilylaw.com/lkmb-attorneys-named-to-thomson-reuters-super-lawyers-2025/

Just the facts.The CT Appellate Court’s decision in D.A. v. A.C. reads as a close call affirming a restraining order, a ...
10/10/2025

Just the facts.

The CT Appellate Court’s decision in D.A. v. A.C. reads as a close call affirming a restraining order, a warning shot to the trial court to focus on specific facts rather than broader risk factors, and a warning shot as to reliance on the family relations risk assessment.

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

If your custody settlement 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://lkmbfamilylaw.com/restraining-order-and-risk-assessment-and-risk-factors-d-a-v-a-c-conn-app-2025/

The CT Appellate Court’s decision in Bugelli v Bugelli is a reminder regarding using foreign substantive law and Connect...
10/09/2025

The CT Appellate Court’s decision in Bugelli v Bugelli is a reminder regarding using foreign substantive law and Connecticut procedural law for foreign judgments, and a detailed analysis under New Jersey law.

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

If your divorce includes difficult or complex interpersonal relationships and complex financial settlements, 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://lkmbfamilylaw.com/foreign-substantive-law-bugelli-v-bugelli-conn-app-2025/

Address

638 Prospect Avenue
Hartford, CT
06105

Opening Hours

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

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Louden, McGrath, Bryan & Bissonnette LLC posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to Louden, McGrath, Bryan & Bissonnette LLC:

Shortcuts

Share

Category