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Divorce records often include specialized legal terms for filings, hearings, rulings, and related support or custody matters. Use this glossary to quickly interpret the language you may encounter in divorce case files, court minute books, docket entries, and newspaper legal notices so you can better understand what occurred and what additional documents may exist.
| Term | Definition |
| Absolute Divorce | Final legal dissolution of marriage permitting remarriage. |
| Abstract of Divorce | Summary document confirming divorce decree details. |
| Action for Divorce | Formal legal filing initiating divorce proceedings. |
| Alimony | Court-ordered financial support from one spouse to another. |
| Annulment | Legal declaration that a marriage was invalid from inception. |
| Answer | Respondent’s formal reply to a divorce complaint. |
| Bill of Complaint | Formal written statement requesting divorce (common in equity courts). |
| Child Custody | Legal determination of parental rights over minor children. |
| Child Support | Court-ordered financial support for minor children. |
| Citation | Court notice requiring appearance in a divorce case. |
| Complaint | Initial pleading filed to begin divorce action. |
| Contested Divorce | Divorce in which parties dispute terms. |
| Co-Respondent | Third party named in adultery-based divorce cases. |
| Cross-Complaint | Counterclaim filed by responding spouse. |
| Decree | Court’s official divorce judgment. |
| Decree Nisi | Provisional decree that becomes final after waiting period. |
| Default Judgment | Divorce granted due to failure of respondent to appear. |
| Desertion | Abandonment of spouse; common ground for divorce. |
| Dissolution | Legal termination of marriage. |
| Docket | Court register listing divorce filings and proceedings. |
| Equity Court | Court handling civil matters such as divorce in some jurisdictions. |
| Fault Divorce | Divorce granted on legally recognized misconduct. |
| Final Decree | Conclusive divorce judgment ending marriage. |
| Grounds | Legal basis for divorce (e.g., cruelty, adultery). |
| Interlocutory Decree | Temporary ruling issued before final decree. |
| Irreconcilable Differences | No-fault ground citing incompatibility. |
| Jurisdiction | Court’s authority to hear divorce case. |
| Libel for Divorce | Historical term for divorce petition. |
| Maintenance | Financial support similar to alimony. |
| Marital Property | Assets acquired during marriage subject to division. |
| Mediation | Negotiated settlement facilitated by neutral third party. |
| Motion | Formal request made to court during proceedings. |
| No-Fault Divorce | Divorce granted without proof of wrongdoing. |
| Notice of Hearing | Official notification of scheduled court appearance. |
| Petition | Formal request to court for divorce. |
| Plaintiff | Spouse initiating divorce action. |
| Reconciliation | Resumption of marital relationship halting proceedings. |
| Respondent | Spouse answering divorce complaint. |
| Restraining Order | Court order limiting actions during proceedings. |
| Separation Agreement | Contract outlining terms prior to divorce. |
| Service of Process | Legal delivery of divorce papers to respondent. |
| Settlement | Agreed resolution of divorce terms. |
| Subpoena | Court order compelling witness testimony or documents. |
| Summons | Official notice requiring response to divorce action. |
| Temporary Order | Interim ruling pending final decree. |
| Testimony | Sworn statement presented in court. |
| Venue | Proper geographic location for filing divorce. |
| Waiver | Voluntary relinquishment of legal right. |
| Witness | Individual providing evidence in divorce case. |
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