Online Divorce Support for Child Custody

A husband or wife leaves the marital home against the wishes of his or her spouse. In some jurisdictions, abandonment is grounds for divorce.

The mother or father without custodial rights to the child and who does not live with the child. The absent or non-custodial parent does, however, provide for partial financial support of the child.

To accumulate.

Court-issued form sent to the respondent (and, where applicable, the co-respondent) with the petition. The document contains questions about the respondent's intentions and wishes in response. Once returned to the court, it establishes service of the petition.

Legal term for a lawsuit or proceeding in a court.

The legally authorized person appointed instead of a judge to preside over the child.

Any testimony, oral or written, or evidence that is allowed into court.

The paper signed at dissolution by the party admitting that he or she received the petition for dissolution.

One spouse's sexual relationship with a third party. In some jurisdictions, adultery is grounds for divorce.

A divorce proceeding in which the spouses cannot reach any agreement.

The opposing party in a lawsuit. In a divorce, this typically is your spouse.

The commonly used acronym for the federal program Aid to Families with Dependent Children. As the name indicates, the program provides financial support to families with children that meet eligibility guidelines. AFDC funds generally are available when the head of a family or the custodial parent is not employed and not receiving child support or assistance from the child's other parent.

a written statement made under oath, often as part of a divorce proceeding. in a divorce proceeding, affidavits usually accompany motions and are used to avoid having to appear in court personally to testify.

A legal strategy that employs new facts or legal defenses in response to the opposing spouse's pleading. With this strategy, a defendant introduces evidence that will negate the other side's allegations, even if it is proven that the defendant committed the alleged acts.

The age at which an individual is legally permitted to enter into contracts without adult consent. This is typically age 18 or age 21, depending on the circumstances and/or jurisdiction. See also "Minor child."