To obtain a divorce in Connecticut, one of the parties must have resided in the State for at least one year prior to the date of the decree. The legal action is started with a formal complaint. This is a document that gives some of the facts of your marriage and the claim for relief. The claim for relief asks for such things as alimony, custody, child support, a division of property, or counsel fees.
The complaint is served by a Deputy Sheriff, and contains a summons that directs your spouse or his or her attorney to file a response with the court on a certain day (called "the return day"). A form called an "Appearance" should be filed by the defendant spouse or his or her lawyer so that all further information about the case can be mailed to them. The person served with a complaint for dissolution of marriage can choose not to file an appearance form, but will then have no notice of what happens in the case and may be subject to court orders without an opportunity to be heard.