Rule 25-50A. Case Management under Pathways

The Pathways approach shall be followed and shall include:

(a) A resolution plan date, which shall be assigned in dissolution of marriage, dissolution of civil union, legal separation, and annulment cases, no less than thirty days and no more than sixty days from the return date, and in custody and visitation cases in accordance with Sections 25-3 and 25-4, to meet with a family relations counselor to identify: (1) all matters where the parties agree; (2) how likely the parties are to reach an agreement on any disputed issues; and

(3) the resources needed to resolve the case. The family relations counselor will recommend an action plan for the court's consideration, including a recommendation for one of three tracks: (1) Track A for cases that require the lowest level of court time and resources, including cases that are fully resolved on the resolution plan date; (2) Track B for cases that are expected to require a moderate level of court time and resources; or (3) Track C for cases with disputes about major issues that are expected to require the highest level of judicial time and resources. Failure to appear at the resolution plan date or comply with the court's orders regarding the resolution plan date may result in sanctions or the entry of a nonsuit, default, or dismissal. After considering the recommendations of the family relations counselor and input from the parties, the court shall make a scheduling order on that day which shall include, but is not limited to, assigning the case to a track, scheduling future court dates (including one or more case dates), ordering a schedule for discovery, and specifying the steps the parties must take between such court dates. The parties must follow the terms of the scheduling order, or the case may be dismissed, or other sanctions may be imposed. Nothing in this section shall preclude the court from issuing temporary orders on the resolution plan date on any pending pleading before the court by consent of the parties or as otherwise determined by the judicial authority.

(b) In all cases, except those seeking only visitation, the party or parties shall file sworn financial affidavits on or before the resolution plan date.

(c) If, in a dissolution of marriage, dissolution of civil union, legal separation or annulment case, the defendant has not filed an appearance, not earlier than thirty days after the return date, the plaintiff may file a motion in accordance with General Statutes § 46b-67 (b) and, if granted, appear and proceed to judgment without further notice to the defendant, provided the plaintiff has complied with the provisions of Section 25-30. If such motion is filed, and the respondent was served personally or at the respondent's usual place of abode, the court may, in accordance with General Statutes § 46b-67 (b), enter judgment with or without a hearing. If service was made in any other manner, no judgment shall be entered until after a hearing held at least sixty days after the return date.

(d) If the matter is uncontested, the parties may follow the proper procedures to proceed to judgment without a hearing or may appear and proceed to judgment at a hearing at any time, subject to the schedule of the court and provided the parties have complied with the provisions of Section 25-30. Otherwise the clerk shall assign the matter to a date certain for disposition.

(e) In a Track B or Track C case, the scheduling order issued by the court may include, but is not limited to, one or more of the following: (1) one or more case dates for the court to hear or address matters that need to be considered before the final trial date; (2) assignment of motions to a motion docket; (3) a date for pretrial; (4) a trial date; and (5) a discovery schedule.

(f) Unless otherwise ordered by the court, in any case assigned a judicial, family relations or special master pretrial, the parties must exchange and submit to the authority presiding over the pretrial at least five business days prior to the scheduled pretrial: (1) a nonargumentative memorandum that sets forth the facts relevant to the criteria in General Statutes §§ 46b-81 and 46b-82; (2) written proposed orders in accordance with Section 25-30 (c) and (d), which shall be comprehensive and state the parties' requested relief; (3) current sworn financial affidavits, including a detailed income statement, a list of assets and liabilities, the value of all assets, current value of all retirement and employment benefits and any proposed distribution; and (4) if there are minor children, a fully completed child support guidelines worksheet that the parties agree to. If the parties do not agree, each party shall individually provide a fully completed child support guidelines worksheet. The parties must be prepared to provide any supporting documentation needed and bring such documentation to the pretrial. If a party does not fully comply with this subsection, sanctions may be imposed by the presiding judge.