For the Kids - Dictionary

DEFINITIONS OF WORDS YOU MAY HAVE HEARD

• Child Custody: A plan describing who children will live with, who will take care of them, and who will make decisions for them. Also called “parental responsibilities.”
  
  
• Child Support: The amount of money one parent will pay to the other to help with the care of the children.
  
  
• Counselor: An adult whose job it is to listen and help people learn to feel better and understand their problems.
  
  
• Divorce: Legal judgment that permanently ends a marriage. Also called “dissolution” of marriage.
  
  
• Expert: An adult who is especially knowledgeable in a certain field, such as a counselor, special advocate, a lawyer or an accountant.
  
  
• Joint Custody: A legal arrangement that allows both parents to continue to care for and be responsible for their children.
  
  
• Judgment: An official decision of a Court.
  
  
• Lawyer: An adult whose job it is to help a husband or wife complete a divorce.
  
  
• Legal Separation: A legal arrangement that allows a husband and wife to be physically and financially living apart.
  
  
• Maintenance: Money one spouse pays to the other to provide financial support after they are no longer together. Also called “alimony.”
  
  
• Mediator: An expert who helps a divorcing couple discuss and settle arguments about their divorce.
  
  
• Motion: A written or oral request made to the Court.
  
  
• Permanent Orders: Decisions that are made by the Court during a hearing at the end of the divorce.
  
  
• Petition: Legal paper that starts a divorce case.
  
  
• Restraining Orders: Orders issued by the Court that restrict someone from doing things.
  
  
• Separation Agreement: Written agreement between husband and wife that describe the terms by which they agree to end the marriage and the rules they will abide by after the divorce.
  
  
• Special Advocate: An expert who helps to determine what is best for the children.
  
  
• Spouse: Either the husband or the wife.
  
  
• Subpoena: A form issued by the Court requiring someone to appear in Court or produce specific papers.
  
  
• Temporary Orders: A temporary agreement about things like debt, money, child support or responsibilities of the parents. Sometimes issued until permanent orders can be attained.
  
  
• Visitation: Specific time where children can spend time with the parent they are not living with. Also called “parenting time.”
  
  
• Witness: Someone who testifies in Court.

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