If you are planning to get a divorce you will want to know some of the terms which you will be hearing on a regular basis.
Alimony. In the state of Washington, alimony is also called maintenance or spousal support. This is the money one spouse pays to the other.- Alternative Dispute Resolution. This is when legal disputes are settled outside the traditional litigation system. This includes things like: collaborative law, mediation and arbitration.
- Arrearage. Any money that the court has ordered as child support and is not paid.
- Child Support Guidelines. This is the payment schedule and guidelines for calculating child support.
- Collaborative Law. This is a formal process where neutral professionals help the couple resolve issues without using the court system.
- Custody. This term is not used in Washington State. The Parenting Plan decides on a Residential Schedule.
- Decree of Dissolution. This is the court order that terminates your marriage.
- Default. When necessary papers are not filed into the court.
- Deposition. This is a legal process where a person under oath, answers questions pertaining to the legal matter.
- Discovery. A formal exchange of information between people in a lawsuit.
- Dissolution of Marriage. Washington State’s term for a divorce.
- Fair and Equitable. This is the standard for division of property.
- Guardian ad Litem. This is a neutral person appointed by the court to investigate and make recommendations to the court. The Guardian ad Litem has the best interest of the children involved.
- Community Property. All property acquired during the marriage that isn’t considered separate property.
- Mediation. Neutral persons are used to resolve disputes.
- Petitioner. The first individual to file paperwork for a separation or divorce.
- Qualified Domestic Relations Order. Certain retirement accounts are divided with this order.
- Respondent. This is the person who answers a petition in a family law proceeding.
- Restraining order. This is an order which prohibits a person from engaging in certain behavior. This could include going to the house, contacting the person or removing funds from accounts.
- Separate Property. This is property that a spouse owned prior to the marriage or obtained during the marriage either through gift or inheritance.
- Settlement Conference. This is an attempt to settle a legal matter without going to trial.
At Lambert Law we are prepared to help you with every step as you move through a divorce. Contact us today. You can click here to contact us or call 360-737-1473.