The process of getting a divorce is quite time-consuming and you will need a divorce lawyer that you can rely on to make this process less stressful. Often times, your divorce lawyer will throw big words at you that make no sense. Here is a cheat sheet with some of the jargons that you will need to know when pursuing a divorce:
GROUNDS – the reasons for bringing a case into the judicial system.
PARTY – people or company that involves in the lawsuit.
PLAINTIFF – the person who begins a case against another in court.
COMPLAINT – the first document filed by the Plaintiff that begins a court case.
UNCONTESTED DIVORCE – one where spouses can reach a decision of the terms of the divorce with agreement without going to trial.
CONTESTED DIVORCE – spouses that cannot come to an agreement to the terms of the divorce and require negotiation, which may require appearance in court.
MARITAL PROPERTY – the property spouses acquire during their marriage.
SEPARATE PROPERTY – the property that a spouse owned before a marriage or was acquired in ways that prevent it from becoming marital property, such as inheritance.
CHILD CUSTODY – the action to request the court to determine the legal and physical custody of a child or children.
DIVORCE FROM BED AND BOARD – the court authorizes the party not at fault to live separate and apart from the other spouse. This is not a divorce, but both parties cannot remarry.
This is a really brief cheat sheet for the basic information that you need to know. Each divorce is different and requires a unique legal plan. At Esplin | Weight, we will assist you through this challenging time, protect your rights, and help you to move forward with your life.
Different law firms and attorneys offer different services. At Esplin | Weight, we advise clients in different aspects of divorce and family law, including:
- Child custody and visitation (parent-time)
- Spousal support (alimony)
- Marital property division
- Post-decree modifications to support and custody orders
- Mediation
- Paternity
- Divorce
- And others
If you’re in need of a divorce or family attorney, don’t hesitate to contact us today.
Sources:
http://www.wikivorce.com/divorce/
http://www.divorcesupport.about.com
www.legalzoom.com
https://esplinweight.com/divorce/
http://www.ruf.rice.edu/~kemmer/Words04/usage/jargon_legal.html
