Legal Terms and Words A-C
Definition of legal divorce terms A through C.
Adultery Defined
Sexual intercourse between a married person and a third party.
Sexual intercourse between a married person and a third party.
Agreement Defined
A legally enforceable contract between spouses during separation and divorce
A legally enforceable contract between spouses during separation and divorce
Alienation of Affection Defined
Any intentional, malevolent intrusion into the relationship between a married couple.
Any intentional, malevolent intrusion into the relationship between a married couple.
Alimony Defined
Court ordered spousal support, usually periodic payments but can also be paid in a lump sum as part of a divorce settlement.
Court ordered spousal support, usually periodic payments but can also be paid in a lump sum as part of a divorce settlement.
Annulment Defined
A judgment by the court that a marriage was never legally valid.
A judgment by the court that a marriage was never legally valid.
Appeal Defined
An appeal is the review of the trial court's decision by a higher court. Appeals courts analyze the trial court's judgment for errors in it's conclusion of the law.
An appeal is the review of the trial court's decision by a higher court. Appeals courts analyze the trial court's judgment for errors in it's conclusion of the law.
Appearance Defined
A court filing with the court clerk registering the name of your attorney.
A court filing with the court clerk registering the name of your attorney.
Attachment Defined
A lien on personal or real property created by a court order in response to a motion for attachment.
A lien on personal or real property created by a court order in response to a motion for attachment.
Bifurcated Divorce Defined
In a bifurcated divorce, the marriage is terminated, but other issues, such as the division of property, alimony, child support or custody arrangements, are left to be determined at a later date or at trial.
In a bifurcated divorce, the marriage is terminated, but other issues, such as the division of property, alimony, child support or custody arrangements, are left to be determined at a later date or at trial.
CDFA Defined
A Certified Divorce Financial Analyst is a trained professional who has passed certain tests to become a financial analyst specializing in divorce issues.
A Certified Divorce Financial Analyst is a trained professional who has passed certain tests to become a financial analyst specializing in divorce issues.
Cohabitation Defined
An unmarried couple living together as if married.
An unmarried couple living together as if married.
Common Law Marriage Defined
A legally recognized marriage in some states based on cohabitation alone.
A legally recognized marriage in some states based on cohabitation alone.
Community Property Defined
Some states have community property laws which means all property is equally divided between spouses during divorce.
Some states have community property laws which means all property is equally divided between spouses during divorce.
Conflict of Interest Defined
Once you have interviewed with a divorce attorney, that attorney is ethically barred from representing your spouse. Even if you don't hire the attorney.
Once you have interviewed with a divorce attorney, that attorney is ethically barred from representing your spouse. Even if you don't hire the attorney.
Contempt of Court Defined
Contempt of court is a legal action brought against the plaintiff or petitioner when they allegedly and willfully defy a court ordered judgment.
Contempt of court is a legal action brought against the plaintiff or petitioner when they allegedly and willfully defy a court ordered judgment.
Contingency Fee Defined
An unethical type of fee agreement that provides the attorney with a percentage of your settlement of judgment.
An unethical type of fee agreement that provides the attorney with a percentage of your settlement of judgment.
Court Docket Defined
The court docket is the record of proceedings before the court.
The court docket is the record of proceedings before the court.
Custody Evaluation Defined
May include interviews, psychological testing, and in home visits to the child's home. All reports are submitted to the courts to be used in determing child custody and the best interest of the child.
May include interviews, psychological testing, and in home visits to the child's home. All reports are submitted to the courts to be used in determing child custody and the best interest of the child.
Custody - Physical Custody Defined
The physical location of the child. The adult with whom the child lives is said to have physical custody.
The physical location of the child. The adult with whom the child lives is said to have physical custody.