Divorce Glossary

Here is a glossary of divorce topics. You will find divorce terminology, divorce terms, and divorce definitions.

Divorce Terminology

Alimony – An order by the court to have a partner pay the other party until the decision is made for the divorce. It can be paid all at once or on a temporary basis.

Annulment – A legal court decision to rule that a marriage never existed.

Appraisal – Market value of a person’s assets which determines how much money should be distributed to the other half through a divorce.

Child Custody – Either spouse granted the care of a child after the divorce is settled.

Child Support – Money provided to the spouse to help support themselves and the child. It is provided by the person who does not have custody of the child.

Divorce – A legal procedure done in court to separate from a marriage.

Legal Separation – A written agreement stating that the husband and wife are living separately until a pending divorce case is resolved.

Mediation – Assistance from a third party to help resolve settlements on a divorce.

No-Fault Divorce – A divorce granted by the court in which both people did no wrongdoing.

Paternity – An order made for the father to give tests on determining if he is the biological father of the baby.

Prenuptial Agreement – A written agreement signed by future marriage partners to limit dealings in the case of a divorce.

Sole Custody – A court decision that determines who gets legal custody of the child.

Uncontested Divorce – Both parties had no arguments against each other for divorce.

URESA (Uniform Reciprocal Enforcement of Support Act) – An agreement reached by two states that determines child support distribution in case both parents live in different states.

Visitation – A Parent, who does not get custody of the child, has the right to visit his/her child at certain times.

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