Divorce
Law Glossary
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 debtors 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
childs 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 childs 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 courts 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.
Nathan Dawson writes
for http://www.lifeaftermarriage.com a great online source for
finance information.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/
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