SHORT CALENDAR NOTICE

Judicial District of Waterbury
SUPERIOR COURT
300 Grand St., Waterbury
9:30 A.M.
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Family Short Calendar
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Hon. Robert T. Resha (P.J. Family)
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NOTICE

MARKINGS

For a matter to be HEARD BY THE COURT, the party who has filed the motion must mark the case READY no later than 5:00 p.m. on the Thursday of the week preceding the calendar. In the event a state holiday falls on the Friday preceding the calendar, the case is to be marked READY no later than 11:00a.m.Thursday. Markings by fax machine are preferred. A standard fax form is available from the Clerk's Office. The fax number is 203-596-4032. Telephone markings are to be called in to 203-591-3300, press 8. The party marking the motion must also give timely notice of the READY marking to all other parties.

A list of READY cases will be posted in the main lobby and outside Courtroom 4. Cases not marked READY will NOT BE HEARD on the short calendar day. Cases that print as custody applications, visitation applications, applications for order to show cause and contempt citations do not have to be marked READY by telephone. All other motions must be marked READY or they will not be heard.

FORMS

Counsel in cases in which the clients are represented on a pro bono basis should indicate this status on the memo to clerk form.

Cases wherein there are AGREEMENTS can be presented to the court at any time by use of the Memo to Clerk form. When one party is represented by an attorney and one party is pro se, the Family Relations Office must review the agreement with the pro se party. 

Parties who have not reached AN AGREEMENT must report to the Family Services unit to discuss their matter with a Family Relations Counselor.

In matters involving child support, parties MUST provide the court with CURRENT FINANCIAL AFFIDAVITS, ADVISEMENT OF RIGHTS, and a FULLY COMPLETED CHILD SUPPORT GUIDELINES WORKSHEET. Assistance with completion of those forms is available in the Family Services Office.

FAMILY SERVICES UNIT REFERRALS

The following policy is in effect for all referrals to the Family Services Unit:

1. No case will be referred to the Family Services Unit without prior screening by a Family Relations Counselor;
2. Counsel and clients must be present and participate in the screening on the day of referral;
3. A completed referral form including a continuance date, must be presented to the Court along with a written agreement signed by the parties.

PARENTING EDUCATION PROGRAM (Sec. 46b-69b)

All parties must complete the Parenting Education Program provided by the State of Connecticut with 60 days of the return day. Information is available in the clerk's office.

2 P.M. CALL

At 2 p.m. there will be a calendar call of ALL cases which were not disposed of in the morning session. Parties not responding to the call will have their matter either dismissed or marked off and will not be heard.

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Checklist for an Uncontested Dissolution of Marriage:

The following documents may be needed for an uncontested hearing:

1. Dissolution of Marriage Report (Form JD-FM-181) (C.P.B. Sec. 25-58)
   Used by the State to keep statistics on divorce.

2. Plaintiff's Financial Affidavit (Form JD-FM-6) (C.P.B. Sec. 25-30)
   Items left blank are assumed to be zero...form must be signed and sworn to before a Notary Public or Commissioner of the Superior Court.

3. Defendant's Financial Affidavit (Form JD-FM-6) (C.P.B. Sec. 25-30)
   Items left blank are assumed to be zero...must be signed and sworn to before a Notary Public or Commissioner of the Superior Court.

4. Affidavit Concerning Children (Form JD-FM-164) (C.P.B. Sec. 25-57)
   Must be signed and sworn to before a Notary Public or Commissioner of the Superior Court.

5. Child Support Guidelines Worksheet (Form-CCSG-1) (C.P.B.Sec.25-30)
   Both sides of the form must be completed and it must be signed and dated by preparer.

6. Affidavit Concerning Military Service (Form JD-FM-178) (C.P.B. Sec. 17-21)
   Used if there is a non-appearing defendant .

7. Advisement of Rights (Form JD-FM-71) (C.P.B. Sec. 25-30)
   Used where alimony or support is to be ordered. If an immediate wage withholding order is to be waived, check the appropriate box on the front side and complete the reverse side of the document.

8. Wage Withholding Order (Form-1)
   Complete if an immediate wage withholding order is desired.

9. Signed Divorce Agreement or Stipulation (Form JD-FM-172)
   Used if the parties have an agreement on all issues.

10. Written Claims for Relief
    Used if there is a non-appearing Defendant and more than a dissolution of marriage is claimed.

11. Parenting Education Program Certificate
    A report from the provider that the program has been completed. Please review your file to insure that your have all such necessary forms PRIOR to appearing before the court. If you need a particular form, please ask for one at the Clerk's office on the first floor.

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Custody/Visitation Requirements:

Parties in all custody and visitation cases MUST file the following forms and information BEFORE any FINAL orders will be entered. If all requirements are not met on the date of the first hearing, only TEMPORARY ORDERS will be entered and the case will be continued to a specific date for completion of the remaining items.

1. A written agreement signed by the parties, or copy of existing court orders, regarding legal and physical custody and visitation.
2. A copy of any child support orders currently in effect from any court.
3. If no support order is in effect, signed financial affidavits from both parties with proof of income such as pay stubs, benefit checks, etc.
4. If no support order is in effect, a completed child support guidelines worksheet.
5. If no support order is in effect, a signed advisement of rights form with waiver or income withholding request.
6. Parenting Education Program completion certificate for both parties.
7. A signed educational support order form.
8. Proof of medical insurance coverage for the minor child/children and or Husky benefits (copy of insurance card would be sufficient).
9. Proof of paternity (signed acknowledgment or judicial finding.

FAILURE TO PROVIDE THIS INFORMATION MAY RESULT IN A DISMISSAL OF YOUR CASE OR CONTEMPT OF COURT PROCEEDINGS.

Status Conference Procedure:

Within 30 days of filing a case management agreement indicating the case is either a limited contested or fully contested case, the matter is set down for an in chambers status conference.

• Regardless of the case management agreement, all cases are set down for a status conference after 90 days have elapsed from the return day.
• When two lawyers are involved, status conferences are conducted by the presiding judge on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday mornings between 9:00 and 10:00 a.m.
• When at least one pro se party is involved, the conference is conducted on the record in open court at the 10:00 a.m. call of the calendar.

The status conference notice, which follows, notices the lawyers/pro se party to appear, with financial affidavits, in order to resolve discovery requests and further scheduling. Attendance at the status conference is mandatory. Failure to report at the scheduled time may result in the issuance of sanctions pursuant to CGS Section 51-84B.

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Status Conference Notice:

Waterbury Family Caseflow
203-591-3322

A status conference has been scheduled for the Date and time indicated above. All attorneys/ pro se parties shall be present and financial affidavits provided. During the conference the following shall be addressed:
1) parenting issues shall be discussed and appropriate action taken.
2) discovery requests shall be discussed and resolved financial affidavits to be provided.
3) scheduling dates for further proceedings shall be determined. Please report to courtroom C at the scheduled time. Failure to report on time may result in the issuance of sanctions pursuant to CGS section 51-84b.

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Standing Orders: Re Limited Contested Cases:

SUPERIOR COURT
JUDICIAL DISTRICT OF WATERBURY
300 GRAND STREET
WATERBURY, CT 06702

STANDING TRIAL MANAGEMENT ORDER

Counsel and pro se parties in the above captioned matter are ordered to submit to the trial judge, one week prior to the assigned trial date, documents in compliance with this Trial Management Order. Only one packet is to be submitted by each party. The compliance shall contain the following:

1. Current sworn financial affidavit which include detailed income statements, a complete list of liabilities, fair market value of all assets and current value of all retirement and employment benefits.

2. A list of all pending motions, outstanding discovery requests and proposed motions in limine.

3. A list setting forth the names and addresses of each witness to be called at trial, including the relationship of each witness to the case (e.g. party, fact witness, expert); and whether a scheduling problem exists as to the testimony of any such witness. Witnesses not listed will not be allowed to testify except for good cause shown.

4. A list of exhibits reasonably expected to be introduced, indexed by number for plaintiff (i.e. Plaintiff’s 1), letter for defendant (i.e. Defendant’s A), and M+numeral for minor child(ren) (i.e. M#1). The list shall briefly describe each exhibit and indicate whether any party objects to the admission of such exhibit. If there is an objection, the exhibit should be marked for identification. The actual exhibits shall not be included with the list to be sent to the court but shall be exchanged by the parties within the time specified. Exhibits not listed will not be admissible except for good cause shown. Counsel are to report to the courtroom clerk at 9 a.m. in order to complete the marking of exhibits for the trial.

5. Per your request, your case was assigned trial dates to which you will be held accountable. If for some reason more or fewer days are needed, specify the number and the reasons for the change. Acknowledgement

6. If custody and visitation are agreed upon, a written and signed stipulation should be included detailing the agreement of the parties.

7. Written proposed orders (see Conn. Prac.. Bk. Sec. 25-30) which shall be comprehensive and shall set forth the party’s requested relief including where applicable the following:

a. a parenting plan;
b. child support;
c. alimony;
d. medical insurance;
e. life insurance;
f. property division;
g. retirement benefits;
h. division of liabilities;
i. tax issues;
j. counsel fees.

8. In addition to documents mentioned earlier herein, the following documents where applicable are to be submitted on the day of trial:

a. dissolution of marriage report;
b. affidavit concerning children;
c. child support guidelines;
d. advisement of rights form;
e. certification of attendance at parenting education.

9. Special trial needs (i.e. blackboard, video equipment, tape recorders, etc.) must be specified by each party.

10. Counsel and the parties are to be civil to one another and respectful to the court. When addressing the Court or questioning witnesses, counsel are requested to stand unless given permission otherwise. Do no interrupt the Court, witnesses or opposing counsel. When objecting, state the grounds with the objection.

11. Ex parte communication with the court is strictly prohibited.

12. All court personnel are to be treated with courtesy and respect.

13. When both parties are represented by counsel, a trial management conference with counsel and the court will take place immediately before commencement of the trial in chambers. When one or both of the parties is pro se, the trial management conference will take place immediately before commencement of the trial in open court.

_________________________
ROBERT T. RESHA
PRESIDING JUDGE

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Standing Orders for Family Special Masters:

Counsel and pro se parties in the above captioned matter are ordered to submit to opposing counsel or the opposing party with certification to the Court (pursuant to Practice Book Section 25-30(b)) documents in compliance with this Order at least TEN (10) DAYS before the scheduled Family Special Masters Session. The compliance shall contain the following:

1. Current sworn financial affidavits, which include detailed income statements, a complete list of liabilities, fair market value of all assets and current value of all retirement and employment benefits. 2. Claims for Relief which shall include the following, if appropriate:

• a parenting plan;
• alimony;
• child support;
• property division;
• counsel fees;
• life insurance;
• medical insurance;
• division of liabilities;
• retirement benefits; and,
• tax issues.

All parties and counsel must promptly appear at the scheduled time of their Special Masters' assignment. Immediately following the session, counsel and pro se parties are to report to the Family Case Flow Coordinator, Robert Sweeney, for further assignment. Failure to comply with Standing Order may result in sanctions (including Connecticut General Statutes § 51-84).

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ROBERT T. RESHA
PRESIDING JUDGE, FAMILY
SEPTEMBER 3, 2002

SUPERIOR COURT
JUDICIAL DISTRICT OF WATERBURY
300 GRAND STREET
WATERBURY, CT 06702

DATE:_________________________

DOCKET #:__________________________

NAME OF CASE:_________________________

The undersigned attorneys or pro se parties of record acknowledge that notice of trial to be held on _________________________ has been received on the above date. MOTIONS FOR CONTINUANCE MUST BE FILED AT LEAST ONE WEEK BEFORE THE SCHEDULED TRIAL DATE. SUCH REQUESTS WILL NOT BE GRANTED UNLESS FOR GOOD CAUSE SHOWN.

The undersigned also acknowledge that failure of counsel or a pro se party to appear for trial on the trial date will result in either the dismissal of the case, with prejudice, or the matter may proceed as an uncontested dissolution.

The undersigned also acknowledge receipt of both the Standing Trial Management Order and Trial Management Conference Procedure.

______________________________
Counsel for Plaintiff/Pro Se

______________________________
Counsel for Defendant/Pro Se

______________________________
Counsel for Minor Child(ren)