Glossary of Family Law Terms

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z #

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Absolute Divorce: Declaration by a court that the marriage has been dissolved so that the parties are no longer married to each other and are free to marry someone else.

Abduction: Unlawfully taking another. 

AB Initio: Latin for "from the beginning."

Action: Judicial proceeding.

Adultery: Sexual relations between a married person and another who is not that person’s spouse.

Affidavit: A written statement under oath.

Agreeement: Mutual assent between two or more parties; normally leads to a contract; may be verbal or written.

Alienation of Affection: The defendant diminishes the martial relationship between the plaintiff and the latter’s spouse. 

Answer: Pleading filed by the defendant that responds to a complaint, petition, or motion.

Alimony: Money or other property paid to support one’s spouse after a divorce or separation, in some cases.

Annulment: A declaration by the court that a valid marriage never existed.

Appeal: A request to the higher court for review of the lower court’s decision and reversal of the judgment.

Arbitration: Submitting a dispute to a third party who will help resolve the issue between the parties.