R. A. v. R. A.

Citations

• 209 Conn. App. 327

Syllabus

The defendant appealed to this court from the judgment of the trial court dissolving her marriage to the plaintiff and making certain orders regard- ing the parties' finances and custody of the parties' minor children. Held: 1. The defendant's claim that the trial court improperly included her minor child from a previous relationship in the custody order without account- ing for the rights of the minor child's biological father was moot: because the biological father was a party to a subsequent proceeding in which the plaintiff was granted custody of the minor child, there was no practical relief that could be afforded to the defendant, and this court lacked subject matter jurisdiction to consider the defendant's claim. 2. The trial court did not abuse its discretion in crafting its visitation order, which required the parties to collaborate on the terms of visitation: the court's order was supported by the record, particularly the testimony of a family relations counselor, which the trial court was free to credit. 3. The defendant could not prevail on her claim that the trial court relied on inaccurate information concerning the plaintiff's finances in fashion- ing its child support orders: because the court's order completely absolved her of any child support obligations, the defendant did not demonstrate any harm resulting from the allegedly improper order; moreover, because the court was presented with significant evidence regarding the parties' relative financial standing, employment histories, and future prospects, and it considered the possible costs that the defendant would incur to visit her children following their proposed relocation, this court would not disturb the child support orders. Argued April 5—officially released December 21, 2021