The Law Dictionary for Everyone
The term adultery refers to sexual relations between a married person and a person who is not his or her spouse. In other words, it is having sex with someone other than your spouse. Adultery has been viewed as both socially and spiritually throughout history, and is mentioned many times in the Bible. In a modern legal sense, adultery is […]
Read moreThe term irreconcilable differences refers to an inability for two parties to resolve their differences in order to save their marriage. In states that allow no-fault divorces, irreconcilable differences is sufficient grounds for divorce. In choosing this reason for divorce, the couple is simply stating that their problems have become so bad, they cannot be brought back into harmony. To […]
Read moreA divorce lawyer is an attorney that specializes in family law, and has experience in issues of divorce, child custody and visitation, child support, and spousal support. Many individuals embroiled in a family law matter wonder whether they should retain the services of a divorce lawyer, and even whether it is required. While it is not required that any party […]
Read moreA no fault divorce is one in which neither spouse places blame on the other for the demise of the marriage. The couple seeking a no fault divorce merely has to assert that they are incompatible, or that irreconcilable differences exist. In a no fault divorce, the court grants the dissolution of marriage without requiring either party to show evidence […]
Read moreWhen a couple divorces, and the marital assets divided, many do not consider that a retirement fund belonging to either spouse is indeed part of their marital community property. To be more specific, that portion of the retirement account that was built up during the course of the marriage is community property. This necessitates complex calculations done by a specialized […]
Read moreWhen two people decide mutually to file for a divorce, and are able to decide matters related to the divorce, such as property distribution, child custody support, and spousal support, without help from the court, it is considered to be an “uncontested divorce.” Uncontested divorces can save couples a great deal of time and money, as they are not depending […]
Read moreNon-marital property is any real or personal property that was owned by either spouse before the marriage. During a divorce, non-marital property is often referred to as “separate property,” and is not subject to distribution between the spouses, but remains the sole property of the spouse who owned it prior to the marriage. There are other instances in which property […]
Read moreAny property that is acquired during the period a couple is married is considered marital property, belonging to both spouses equally, regardless of which spouse paid for it, or how it is titled. This may include such things as houses, furniture, appliances, and other types of personal or real property. Financial assets and debts acquired during the period of the […]
Read moreA prenuptial agreement is a legal contract made between two people before they become married. The contract details the property rights of each party, as well as the financial remedies in the event that the couple divorces. Prenuptial agreements are also referred to as “prenups,” “antenuptial agreements,” or in modern cases, “premarital agreements.” Such agreements are designed to protect the […]
Read moreA couple that no longer wants to be married, but needs time to work out certain financial issues, may obtain a legal separation in most states. Also referred to as a “judicial separation,” a legal separation must be obtained through a court order, and is usually a prelude to actual divorce, though not always. It is not necessary to obtain […]
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