GLOSSARY OF KEY TERMS

Annulment (“Nullity of Marriage”): A legal action that says your marriage was never legally valid because of unsound mind, incest, bigamy, being under the age of consent, fraud, force, or physical incapacity. Sometimes “Annulment” also refers to a religious ceremony . These orders have nothing to do with civilsystems and cannot be ordered by the courts.

Arbitration: In Arbitration, an unbiased third party (usually an attorney) makes a decision settling a dispute out of court.

Court Order: A judge’s decision that gives you certain rights or tells you to do certain things is called a Court Order.

Dissolution: A marriage that is ended by a judge’s decision. This is also known as a Divorce.

Divorce: A common name for a marriage that is legally dissolved.

Family Law Case: Your divorce, legal separation, or annulment is called a family law case.

Fee Waiver: Permission not to pay filing fees is given to some people with low incomes. You can get fee waiver forms from the court clerk.

Filing a Form: Court forms are only considered “filed” when they are stamped by the court clerk. You can either take your forms to the clerk’s office to be stamped or mail them in.

Filing Fees: Court fees that must be paid to file certain forms, unless your request for a fee waiver is granted.

Legal Separation: You and your spouse can end your relationship, but still remain legally married, and get court orders on parenting and money issues with a Judgment of Legal Separation.

Mediation: In Mediation, an unbiased third party helps you and your spouse reach agreements you both think are fair.

Negotiation: In Negotiation, you and your spouse find solutions on your own, or with the help of a lawyer or other third party.

Pro Per: If you are going to court without a lawyer, you are called a pro per party.

Petitioner: This is the person who starts the family law case by filing the first court papers.

Respondent: If you did not start the family law case and you are named in this case, you are the Respondent.

Limited Scope Representation: legal services provided through individual tasks (i.e., writing a letter for a client) vs. full representation (i.e., taking on entire custody case)