Attorney Alex J. Ricciardone

04/22/2026

Life Rule #1: Never buy a house with someone you are not married to. 🏠🚩

Imagine spending eight years building a home, quitting your job to support your partner’s career or children, and scouting out a multi-million-dollar property—only to walk away with zero legal rights to it because you never filed for a marriage license.

The Reality for Connecticut Couples:

-No Common Law Marriage: No matter how long you live together or how many people you tell you’re "married," Connecticut does NOT recognize common-law marriage.

-Legal Strangers: Without a marriage contract or a title deed, the court often views you as two individuals with no financial obligation to one another.

-The "Wild West": When unmarried couples split, disputes over property, savings, and even pets can become a nightmare of "he-said-she-said" litigation.

The Solution: You don’t have to get married to protect yourself, but you do need a Cohabitation Agreement. Think of it as a roadmap for your assets that keeps you out of court and in control of your future.

Don't let a "heartbreaking" surprise ruin your life’s work.

03/08/2026

What to Do After a Car Accident

Even minor accidents can be stressful. If you’re involved in a crash, remember these key steps:

• Check for injuries and call 911 if needed
• Contact the police so a report can be filed
• Take photos and exchange insurance information
• Seek medical attention, even if injuries seem minor
• Notify your insurance company

Taking the right steps after an accident can help protect your health and your rights. If you have questions about your options after a car accident in Connecticut, speaking with an attorney can help.

02/20/2026

Different households, one priority. ❤️

When parents are not married, custody and parenting rights are not automatic—they must be clearly established through a legal custody and parenting plan.

Being listed on a child’s birth certificate does not, by itself, determine custody, parenting time, or decision-making authority. Those issues are decided by the court based on the child’s best interests.

If parents are no longer in a relationship but are co-parenting, having clear, written agreements in place is critical. Written custody and parenting plans help set expectations, reduce misunderstandings, and provide fairness and consistency for both parents—most importantly, for the child.

If you are an unmarried parent navigating custody, parenting plans, or child support in Connecticut, early legal guidance can help protect your rights and create stability moving forward.

02/16/2026

🚨 CT Parents & Homeowners: Underage Drinking in Your Home Can Ruin Lives — and Yours.

Giving alcohol to anyone under 21 isn’t harmless. It’s illegal.

Connecticut’s Social Host Law (C.G.S. § 30-89a) makes it a Class A misdemeanor — up to 1 year in jail and a $2,000 fine — if you allow minors to drink on your property, even if you didn’t buy the alcohol.

Criminal charges are just the start.

If an intoxicated minor leaves your house and crashes, gets hurt, or worse, you can be sued personally. Most homeowner’s insurance won’t cover it.

Underage drinking causes brain damage, addiction, assaults, and fatal crashes.

Don’t risk it.

02/08/2026

❄️ Shoveling the Sidewalk: Is it Just a Chore, or a Legal Liability?

In Connecticut, a picturesque winter can turn into a legal headache faster than you can say "black ice." Many ask: "Am I actually liable if someone slips on the sidewalk in front of my house?"

The answer? It depends on where you live! 🏠⚖️

Here is the "Cold" Hard Truth:

The General Rule: Historically, the town—not the homeowner—was responsible for public sidewalks.

The "Ordinance" Exception: Most CT towns (like Hartford, New Haven, Plainville, Meriden and Southington) have passed ordinances that shift this duty to YOU. If your town has adopted CGS § 7-163a, you are legally required to clear snow and ice, and you could be held liable for injuries if you don't.

The "Positive Act" Rule: Even in towns without that ordinance, you can be liable if you make the sidewalk more dangerous—for example, by plowing snow into frozen ridges or having a broken gutter that creates an "artificial" ice patch.

⏱️ How much time do you have?
Most CT municipalities require sidewalks to be cleared within 12 to 24 hours after the snow stops. Check your local town hall website to be sure!

Stay Safe (and Legal) this Winter:
✅ Shovel early and often.
✅ Use salt or sand to treat stubborn ice patches.
✅ Check your gutters to ensure they aren't draining onto the walkway.
✅ PRO TIP: Always snap a picture of the sidewalk or driveway after you clean up and keep it for two years so you can defend yourself from a claim!

05/22/2023

Thank you, Art Secondo, for the great piece!

Southington Magazine, Spring 2023 Issue 54

12/29/2022

https://patch.com/connecticut/southington/southington-council-finalizes-towns-legal-team

The new corporation counsel position is a full-time employee serving the entire town.

12/17/2022

Meriden Record-Journal: Southington hires familiar face for new corporation counsel position.

Southington hires familiar face for new corporation counsel position- SOUTHINGTON — Alex Ricciardone has been named as Southington’s Corporation Counsel at the last town council meeting, a new position that makes him the legal advisor over all of town’s boards, committees and staff.Ricciardone...

12/15/2022

Free COVID test kits are back!

The programme allows households to order four rapid tests with deliveries starting next week.

06/13/2022

Looking forward to see how my client re-positions this highly unique property! Precision Realty LLC Pompei Carpentry Services LLC

Buy with certainty. Sell with Efficiency. Trust Precision.