Guides
Agreeing to a motion: stipulated agreements the court can approve without a hearing
General information about Connecticut court procedure, not legal advice.
Not every motion needs a fight, and in Connecticut not every agreement needs a courtroom. When both parties sign a written agreement resolving a motion, the court can approve it without either of you appearing. This guide covers the two request forms, which one your case needs, and what makes an agreement one a court will approve.
The two request forms
- While the case is pending: the Request for Approval of Temporary Agreement Without Court Appearance (form JD-FM-263). It is not available for continuances, restraining orders, or Family Support Magistrate matters. An approved temporary agreement lasts until final orders.
- After judgment: the Request for Approval of Final Agreement Without Court Appearance (form JD-FM-282), which covers dissolution and custody actions and postjudgment motions.
Both travel with the agreement itself, signed by both parties.
The agreement itself
Write it the way a court order reads, because that is what it becomes: write each term as a complete sentence saying who does what and when. If the agreement covers custody or parenting time, the court's form for the plan itself is the Custody Agreement and Parenting Plan (form JD-FM-284).
The paperwork that rides along
- Child support: if Support Enforcement Services is in the case, the Assistant Attorney General must also sign. The Child Support and Arrearage Guidelines Worksheet (form CCSG-1) is required at any hearing on child support, and agreed support amounts are still reviewed against the guidelines.
- Alimony, support, or fees: both parties' sworn Financial Affidavits (form JD-FM-6) must be on file at least 5 business days before any hearing.
- Custody or visitation: an Affidavit Concerning Children (form JD-FM-164) must be on file before the court makes any order about custody or visitation.
What approval means, and what it does not
An approved agreement becomes a court order, enforceable like any other. Until the court approves it, the existing orders remain in effect, so keep following them even after both signatures are on the page. And approval is the court's call: the court can approve the agreement on the papers, or it can schedule a court event if it wants to hear from you before deciding.
Where this fits
This page goes deeper on the third path in our guide on responding to a motion. For agreements that end the whole case rather than one motion, see the dissolution agreement and finishing an agreed custody case.
Where to get help
Connecticut's Court Service Centers offer free help for self-represented parties. The clerk's office can answer questions about procedure but cannot give legal advice. Legal aid organizations serve people who qualify. If you want legal advice, talk to a licensed Connecticut attorney.
ProSay is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. ProSay is a self-help document preparation service.