Divorce Definitions

Reasonable visitation A form of visitation in which the parents work out a schedule of visitation for the non-custodial parent. Temporary alimony A type of alimony payment that is made to one spouse pending separation or divorce proceedings. 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. Annulment The legal dissolution of a marriage. In an annulment, the marriage is treated as though it never existed. Contested Divorce A divorce where the parties are unable or unwilling to come to a mutual agreement. 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. Child Support An amount of money under a court or administrative order that is due and owed by the non-custodial parent for the support of the parent's child(ren). 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. 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.

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	Did You Know?
	About my ex-spouse visitation rights Unless the court has granted a modification of the visitation arrangement, then you can not and should not deny visitation! Denying visitation is one of the biggest mistakes made by most custodial parents. You may believe you have a justifiable reason for denying the visitation rights, but by law your are not permitted to do so.