Cheap Divorce

A resource for you as you consider, prepare for, or go through the process of getting a divorce.

  • Home
  • About CheapDivorce.org
  • What is Divorce?
  • How To…
  • The Effects
  • Child Custody
  • Divorce Law
You are here: Home / What is Divorce? / Divorce Terms — What is…?

Divorce Terms — What is…?

By Amanda

Navigating a divorce will be much easier if you can understand the lingo. To that end, here are definitions of some common terms you may encounter throughout the divorce process.

 

Abandonment: Indicates one spouse has left the marital home. Grounds for divorce in some areas.

Admissible: Any testimony, document, or other demonstrative material that can be officially considered by the court.

Adultery: Sexual intercourse by a married person with someone other than his or her spouse. Ground for divorce in some areas.

Affidavit: A written statement, usually signed under oath.

Alienation of Affection: A third party’s intentional and malicious interference with a marital relationship.

Alimony: Court-ordered spousal support paid after the divorce. Also called maintenance or support.

Alimony pendente: Spousal support paid during the separation period before the divorce is finalized.

Alternative dispute resolution (ADR): Methods of resolving legal disputes without going to trial (e.g., mediation or arbitration).

Annulment: A legal judgment that a marriage was never legally valid or became invalid at some point. Causes can include: unsound mind, incest, bigamy, below age of consent consent, fraud, force, and physical incapacity.

Arbitration: A legally binding, non-judicial procedure before a neutral third party.

Arrearage: Past due child or spousal support.

Attachment: A court-ordered lean on personal or real property to preserve marital assets.

Best interest of the child: The legal standard when making child-related decisions.

Child custody: See legal custody and physical custody.

Child support: Court-ordered payments by the noncustodial parent to the custodial parent.

COBRA: A federal law ensuring those receiving group health coverage through an employer-sponsored plan can maintain coverage for a fixed period on a self-paid basis if they lose it to do job loss or divorce.

Cohabitation: When an unmarried couple lives together as if they were married.

Common Law Marriage: A marriage based on cohabitation rather than compliance with marriage statutes. Recognized in some states.

Community debts: Debts the husband and wife owe together.

Community property: Property the husband and wife own together.

Community property division: A system through which all property owned by either spouse and acquired during the marriage is divided equally between the two upon divorce (some exclusions may apply). Community property states include: Arizona, California, Idaho, Louisiana, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Washington and Wisconsin.

Complaint/petition for divorce: The formal document filed with the court initiating the divorce proceeding.

Contested/uncontested divorce: Refers to whether the parties agree (uncontested) or can’t agree (contested) to a separation agreement.

Custodial parent: Parent who has physical custody of the child.

Court order: Legal decision by the court directing that something be done or not done.

Next>

Page 1      Page 2     Page 3

Photo credit: greeblie

Filed Under: What is Divorce? Tagged With: definition, dictionary, divorce, term

Recent Updates

  • Real estate ownership — Married vs. cohabiting
  • What does a cohabitation agreement look like?
  • Cohabitation agreements: The prenup for nonmarried couples
  • So we never actually got married… Can we still get “divorced”?
  • Distribution of property when one spouse is “at fault”
  • Distribution of property: A piece of the pension pie

Categories

  • Child Custody
  • Divorce Law
  • How To…
  • The Effects
  • What is Divorce?
The content of this website is provided for informational or entertainment purposes only, and should not be construed as legal advice. Always consult with an attorney regarding any legal issues. If you live in Alabama, Florida, Missouri, New York or Wyoming, please click here for additional information.
Copyright © 2012-2014 Cheap Divorce