absolute divorce, abduction, ab initio, action, adultery,affidavit,agreement, alienation of affection, answer, alimony, annulment,appeal,arbitration
Glossary of Family Law Terms A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z # Click on the first letter of the word from the list above to go to the appropriate section of the glossary. – A –

ABSOLUTE DIVORCE: Declaration by a court that the marriage has been dissolved so that the parties are no longer married to each other and are free to marry someone else.

ABDUCTION: Unlawfully taking another.

AB INITIO: Latin for “from the beginning.”

ACTION: Judicial proceeding.

ADULTERY: Sexual relations between a married person and another who is not that persons spouse.

AFFIDAVIT: A written statement under oath.

AGREEMENT: Mutual assent between two or more parties; normally leads to a contract; may be verbal or written.

ALIENTATION OF AFFECTION: The defendant diminishes the martial relationship between the plaintiff and the latters spouse.

ANSWER: Pleading filed by the defendant that responds to a complaint, petition, or motion.

ALIMONY: Money or other property paid to support ones spouse after a divorce or separation, in some cases.

ANNULMENT: A declaration by the court that a valid marriage never existed.

APPEAL: A request to the higher court for review of the lower courts decision and reversal of the judgment.

ARBITRATION: Submitting a dispute to a third party who will help resolve the issue between the parties.’