Divorce Law Glossary
Plain-language definitions of divorce and family law terms used across the United States and Canada. Each term includes jurisdiction-specific variations where the law differs by state or province.
200
Legal Terms
9
Categories
11 terms starting with A
A
11 termsActuary
FinancialA professional who calculates present value of future pension benefits for divorce property division.
Affidavit
Court ProcessA written statement of facts sworn under oath, used as evidence in divorce proceedings.
Age of Majority
Child SupportThe legal age when a child becomes an adult, varying by jurisdiction and affecting support termination.
Alimony
Spousal SupportCourt-ordered financial support paid by one spouse to the other during separation or after divorce.
Alimony Modification
Spousal SupportA court-approved change to alimony amount or duration based on substantial change in circumstances.
Alimony Termination
Spousal SupportThe ending of spousal support obligations, typically due to remarriage, death, cohabitation, or court order.
Annulment
GeneralA legal declaration that a marriage is void or invalid from the beginning, as if it never existed.
Appeal
Court ProcessThe process of requesting a higher court to review and potentially reverse a trial court's divorce decision.
Appreciation
Property & AssetsThe increase in value of property during marriage, which may be classified as marital or separate depending on the cause...
Arbitration
Alternative Dispute ResolutionA binding dispute resolution process where a neutral arbitrator makes decisions on contested divorce issues.
Arrears
Child SupportPast-due child support payments that accumulate when a parent fails to pay court-ordered support on time.