Divorce lawyers and law firms can provide a great deal of divorce information and divorce advice; but sometimes, all that legal jargon can be confusing to say the least, not to mention intimidating. Getting a good, low cost divorce settlement requires planning and research.
So, why not start here? We have provided you with a good glossary of legal terms related to the process of getting a divorce:
Alimony
A regular support payment by one divorced spouse to the other
Annulment
A court declaration stating that a legal marriage never existed
Arbitration
Having a disputed matter settled by a third party who is not a judge
.
Attachment
A court-ordered seizure of a debtor’s property.
Attorney at Law
A state-licensed advocate who is hired to prepare, manage and try a case in court.
Alternative Dispute Resolution
A process of negotiation, mediation and arbitration, in lieu of a trial, as a way to resolve issues pertaining to a judgment of divorce.
Case Information Statement (CIS)
A financial document specifying the details of your respective incomes, expenses, assets, and debts.
Child Support
Money paid by one ex-spouse to another toward their child’s expenses.
Common Law Marriage
A marriage without a license or ceremony in which the couple cohabitated for a minimum number of years (varies from state to state).
Default
Failure to do something (such as make a payment) on time.
Discovery
The legal procedures used to gather all the facts necessary to settle a case or to prepare the case for trial.
Dissolution of Marriage (Divorce)
The legal separation of a married couple so that each one may be free to marry again.
Equitable Distribution
A fair division of the assets acquired during your marriage.
Inventory and Appraisement
A list of jointly-owned property along with the current value of each one.
Joint Legal Custody
An agreement in which a divorced couple share the rights and responsibilities of making major decisions about their child’s life.
Joint Physical Custody
The shared right to have a child live with one or the other parent at different times of the week or year.
Judgement of Divorce
A legal document following a settlement or trial that grants a divorce and states the court’s decisions with regard to alimony, support, custody, visitation rights, and equitable distribution.
Maintenance
Alimony or child support payments
Marital Settlement Agreement
An out-of-court agreement that resolves all issues surrounding a divorce.
Mediation
A process by which a dispute is resolved and an agreement between two parties is reached with the assistance of a disinterested third party known as a mediator.
Non-Marital Property
Property that belongs exclusively to either the husband or the wife and, as such, cannot be divided between the two.
No-Fault Divorce
A divorce granted with the mutual agreement of two spouses, or when one spouse has left the marriage for a certain period of time (varies by state).
Rehabilitative Alimony
Alimony that helps the ex-spouse to become self-reliant.
Separation
The absence of one spouse from the household before a divorce.
Separation Agreement
A temporary agreement with regard to support, child custody and property for the period between the onset of separation and the granting of a divorce.
Spouse
A husband or wife
Support
Payment due to one spouse from the other regarding housing, food, clothing, and other expenses
.
Transfer
To switch legal ownership from one person to another.
Verification Statement
An oath declaring that the information stated in a document is true.
Visitation
The right for a non-custodial parent to visit his or her child.
by Nathan Dawson
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