Using Google Scholar for Connecticut Divorce

One of the specialized free services offered as part of the Google search engine is called Google Scholar. While useful for a range of things, we'll focus on discussion on some of the most basic aspects of this service as it pertains to your Connecticut divorce or family court proceedings. Free access to Connecticut case law, as well as citations with links to other cases is more helpful that you may first realize.

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To access Google Scholar, type or click: http://scholar.google.com/
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Most of the basic and advanced tips discussed elsewhere on this site can be used in Google Scholar, but often are not needed. In most cases, you will find it helpful to click the radio button labeled 'Case law' just beneath the search box. If you're in Connecticut, Google will likely detect that and suggest other options for 'Connecticut courts' but you can select 'Federal courts' or click the link to 'Select courts...' if you are interested in cases from other state jurisdictions.

If you know a full case citation, you can type it in the search box, but often you need only provide the case caption (or party names) to see the range of results that Google may find. This will often include other cases that may cite the case in question. In the example below, we search for the Connecticut Supreme Court decision in the case of Simms v. Seaman. Results (shown further below), include the 2013 Connecticut Supreme Court decision Simms v. Seaman, (SC 18839) (Conn. May 21, 2013), but also earlier appellate decisions.

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In the example below, we show how you can look for general concepts using keywords to find cases that match your search criteria, rather than having to know a particular case in advance. Once you find a case or two that appear to be on target for your needs, read through and note the links within each case as they are cited. That may lead you to more recent or more relevant cases.

NOTE: Using "quotations around keywords" as shown is a way to request an "exact phrase match" from Google
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  » See General Google Scholar Search Tips on Google's Web Site
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