Divorce Definitions

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. Domestic Violence Petition This form serves as your application for a protective order; after obtaining one from the courthouse clerk, completing and returning it, it will be reviewed by a judge. Custodial parent The parent who has physical custody of the children. Reimbursement Alimony Reimbursement alimony, as the name implies, is designed to reimburse one spouse for expenses occurred by the other. Uncontested Divorce A divorce where both parties are able to make a mutually agreed-upon arrangement. Annulment The legal dissolution of a marriage. In an annulment, the marriage is treated as though it never existed. Supervised visitation A form of visitation in which an adult supervisor must be present when the child is visiting with the non-custodial parent. Alimony A payment made by one spouse to another pending divorce or separation. 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. Reasonable visitation A form of visitation in which the parents work out a schedule of visitation for the non-custodial parent.

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	Did You Know?
	Permanent and incurable insanity is a ground for divorce. For insanity to be considered permanently incurable, a person must have been confined in a mental institution, hospital, or other institution for at least three years, and at least two physicians competent in psychiatry must testify that the insanity is permanently incurable.