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Paternity
The determination of who the father of a child is in order to arrange child custody and child support in the event of a divorce.
Divorce agreement
A divorce agreement spells out the terms of the divorce and the relationship between the two spouses after the divorce. These agreements usually cover property division, child custody and child plans, debt division, spousal support, and any other relevant issues related to the divorce.
Rehabilitative Alimony
Rehabilitative alimony refers to alimony that is given to a spouse so that the spouse may “rehabilitate” herself or himself in the sense of acquiring greater earning power or training in order to become self-supporting.
Legal Separation
A court order arranging the terms (custody, support, etc.) under which a married couple will live separately. This addresses the same issues as divorce, but does not completely dissolve the marriage.
Contested Divorce
A divorce where the parties are unable or unwilling to come to a mutual agreement.
Uncontested Divorce
A divorce where both parties are able to make a mutually agreed-upon arrangement.
Age of Majority
Attained upon one's eighteenth birthday. However, a child support order will remain in effect beyond attainment of eighteen as long as the child continuously attends an accredited high school on a full time basis, the child is determined to be mentally or physically disabled by the court, or both parents have agreed to continue support after the age of 18 and it is incorporated in a divorce decree.
Custodial parent
The parent who has physical custody of the children.
Mediation
A non-adversarial process in which a neutral third party acts to encourage and help disputing parties reach a mutually acceptable agreement. May not be a good option when domestic violence is present.
Residual Physical Custodial Rights
A custody agreement when one parent is awarded visitation by a pre-arranged schedule worked out between the parents or the courts.
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