A divorce can be a confusing process. It is a legal procedure that has terms with special meanings. The following is a divorce glossary of terms and phrases to help you navigate the unfamiliar process.
Alimony. Financial payments made to help support a spouse or former spouse during separation or following divorce. Also called spousal support or spousal maintenance.
Alternative dispute resolution (ADR). Methods of resolving legal disputes without going to trial, in a less adversarial manner, such as through arbitration or mediation.
Arrearage. The amount of money that is past due for child or spousal support.
Child support. Money that a non-custodial parent pays to the custodial parent for their child(ren)'s support.
Child support guidelines. Guidelines established by statute or rule in each jurisdiction that set forth the manner in which child support must be calculated, generally based on the income of the parents and the needs of the children.
Custody. Having rights to your child. Custody can be either legal, which means that you have the right to make important decisions about your child's welfare, or physical, which means that the child lives with and is raised by you.
Decree. The court's written order or decision finalizing the divorce, often issued in conjunction with the court's judgment.
Default. Failing to answer a petition or complaint for divorce. Failing to file an answer or appear in court as required can result in the court awarding everything requested by the filing spouse.
Defendant. The person against whom legal papers are filed, also sometimes referred to as the respondent.
Deposition. Part of the discovery or information-exchanging process of a legal proceeding, in which the attorney for the other party asks you questions, you answer with your attorney present, and a transcript of the proceedings is prepared.
Discovery. The information-exchanging process of a legal proceeding, including serving and answering interrogatories and requests for production of documents, and taking depositions.
Dissolution. Another word for divorce, which is the legal termination of a marriage relationship.
Divorce. The legal termination of a marriage relationship.
Domestic violence. Physical abuse or threats of abuse occurring between members of the same household.
Equitable distribution. A division of property that is fair in view of all of the circumstances. Equitable does not necessarily mean equal.
Interrogatories. Written questions served by the opposing party that must be answered in writing as part of the discovery process.
Joint legal custody. The sharing, by both parents, of the right to make important decisions about a child's welfare.
Joint physical custody. The sharing, by both parents, of the actual physical care and custody of a child.
Legal custody. The right to make important decisions about the raising of your child, on issues such as health care, religious upbringing, education, etc.
Marital property. Generally, all property acquired during the marriage.
Mediation. A form of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) for resolving legal disputes without going to trial, by the use of a trained and impartial third party who attempts to bring the parties together in mutual agreement.
Non-custodial parent. The parent who does not have physical custody of the child(ren).
Non-marital property. Generally, property owned by either spouse prior to marriage or acquired by them individually, such as by gift or inheritance, during the marriage.
Physical custody. The day-to-day rights and responsibilities associated with having your child in your home and being responsible for his or her care and upbringing.
Petitioner. Often, the person who initiates divorce or marriage dissolution proceedings, also called the plaintiff.
Plaintiff. The person who initiates legal proceedings, often called the petitioner in family law matters.
Premarital agreement. An agreement entered into before marriage that sets forth each party's rights and responsibilities should the marriage terminate by death or divorce. Also called a prenuptial agreement.
Prenuptial agreement. An agreement entered into before marriage that sets forth each party's rights and responsibilities should the marriage terminate by death or divorce. Also called a premarital agreement.
Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO). Pronounced "kwah-dro," an order issued by the court to divide retirement benefits.
Respondent. The person who answers a petition in a legal proceeding, sometimes also referred to as the defendant.
Restraining order. An order issued by the court requiring the subject of the order to refrain from doing something, often issued in conjunction with domestic violence or custody disputes.
Settlement conference. A meeting at which the parties and their lawyers attempt to settle the case before trial, often ordered by the court.
Split custody. A form of custody (generally not looked upon favorably) in which some or one of the parties' children is/are in the custody of one parent and the remaining child(ren) is/are in the custody of the other parent.
Spousal support or maintenance. Financial payments made to help support a spouse or former spouse during separation or following divorce. Also called alimony.
Stipulation. An agreement entered into by the divorcing spouses that settles the issues between them and is often entered into the court's final order or judgment and decree.
Visitation. The time that a noncustodial parent spends with his or her child(ren).
The Divorce Glossary Will Help You, But It's No Substitute for Legal Council
The divorce glossary will help you to understand the key terminology that goes along with divorce proceedings, but you may need more help than that. Whether you're just beginning the divorce process or are further along, legal representation can make all the difference. Contact a divorce lawyer in your jurisdiction, who will be able to give you the information you need and advocate on your behalf should you need to go to court.
