A divorce dictionary is one of the very first things you need to consult when you find yourself in the unfortunate position of getting a divorce. It is especially useful when you take advantage of a revolutionary method to file for divorce thru My Divorce Papers. Divorce words will be your breakfast, lunch, and dinner for the succeeding months. Trust us; familiarizing yourself with common divorce terms will save you a lot of headache during the divorce process.
Common Divorce Terminology
Here is a divorce dictionary that we have prepared for you.
- Alimony – Sometimes called spousal support or maintenance, it is one spouse’s payment of support to the other. Its purpose is to compel the spouse to provide for the other when he/she has the legal obligation to do so. The amount, duration, and terms of alimony vary on a case by case basis.
- Child Custody – It is among the most common divorce words since custody, when there are children involved, is an inevitable issue. It covers legal and physical custody. Legal custody pertains to the authority awarded by the court to care for the children and approve all major decisions affecting them. On the other hand, physical custody refers to the children’s physical location.
- Child Support – It refers to court-ordered payments from the non-custodial parent to the custodial parent of minor children. It is designed to compensate for ordinary expenses (e.g. food, housing, education, and clothing) related to the care and support of the children. Every state utilized different guidelines in determining the amount of child support.
- Community Property – It is a rule in marital property division wherein all properties acquired during the marriage are equally divided, regardless of whose name they are registered. In some jurisdictions, gifts and inheritance are excluded.
- Contested Divorce – This is a type of divorce wherein the defendant spouse opposes the divorce because of the asserted grounds or the terms of divorce raised. The court then is bound to resolve the issue/s.
- Custodial Parent – This refers to the parent who lives with the children (i.e. parent with physical or primary physical custody).
- Equitable Distribution – When a state requires equitable distribution of marital properties, it means that all assets and debts shall be divided fairly, not equally, between the parties. Certain factors (e.g. earning capacity, length of marriage) are considered in order to determine what is fair.
- Grounds for Divorce – These are the circumstances provided under the law that entitle one to get a divorce. The divorce details are different for every state since their statues provide varying grounds. So, be sure to check the appropriate divorce information in the state where you plan to get divorced.
- No-fault Divorce – It is a type of divorce where the law does not require either spouse to prove fault on the part of the other. Incompatibility or irreconcilable differences are merely asserted in obtaining a no-fault divorce.
- Non-Custodial Parent – Relates to parents who have no physical custody over the children. But it is possible for non-custodial parents to have legal custody.
- Separate Property – This pertains to properties that are excluded during the division of property by the court. It covers those owned by the parties prior to the marriage or acquired after the dissolution of the marriage. Gifts and inheritances are also classified as separate property.
- Visitation – It is the non-custodial parent’s right to see the children on a regular basis.
Other Divorce Resource
Now that you are done with our collection of common divorce words, you can also check Family Affairs’ A-Z of Divorce. The writer gave divorce definitions based on how her own divorce made her feel. You will surely get insightful divorce info from the said divorce dictionary.
Getting a divorce can be frightening, especially if it is your first. Aside from the fact that it involves a divorce dictionary filled with unfamiliar legal jargon, it is a life phase jam-packed with uncertainties. But know that you are not alone. There are lots of helpful resources online that will tell you what to know about divorce and how to rise above it.
