Michigan divorce and Family Law Definitions:
Alimony
A contemporary term for spousal support. Periodic monthly payments for the maintenance and support of a spouse. https://vimeo.com/70357676
Answer to Complaint
The formal legal document confirming or denying the allegations in the complaint. Typically an Answer to Complaint must be filed within 21 days after receiving the complaint for divorce. https://vimeo.com/70357419
Arbitration
The formal process in which the litigants present their case before an Arbitrator. Parties can contract to empower a 3rd party to decide their case. Unlike a trial, Arbitration is usually less formal. However, there are limited rights to appeal. https://vimeo.com/70357419
Best Interest of the Child
A legal term of art used to define the twelve child custody factors a court must evaluate when awarding custody of a minor child under the Child Custody Act of 1970. https://vimeo.com/70407197
Case Management Conference
The name for a Status conference in Wayne County, Michigan – See Status Conference https://vimeo.com/70357419
Child Support
The amount of financial assistance provided from the non-custodial parent to the custodial parent. Typicallym the amount must comply with the Michigan Child Support Formula Manual. https://vimeo.com/70407197
Complaint
The formal legal document that reflects the lawsuit terminating a marriage. https://vimeo.com/70357419
Defendant
The party being sued. The party who is required to answer the complaint of a plaintiff. https://vimeo.com/70357419
Deposition
A type of Discovery request. Testimony under oath, subject to the penalties of perjury given outside of the courtroom with a court reporter who transcribes the proceedings. https://vimeo.com/70357419
Divorce Decree
See Judgment of Divorce https://vimeo.com/70357419
Discovery
The formal process by which the parties exchange information under oath and subject to the penalties of perjury. Typically, lawyers use three types of discovery methods. A Subpoena, Interrogatories and Depositions. https://vimeo.com/70357419
Early Intervention Conference
A conference typically at the Friend of the Court that introduces the parties to the Court process when minor children are involved. https://vimeo.com/70357419
Established Custodial Environment
In a contested custody case, the existence of an established custodial environment defines the burden of proof by which the parent seeking to modify custody must prove his or her case. An established custodial environment exists if a child looked to a specific parent for the regular necessities of life for an appreciable period of time. https://vimeo.com/70407197
Ex Parte Order
An Order entered without a formal hearing. Typically filed at the beginning of a divorce case.
Financial Status Quo
A common ex parte Court Order requiring the parties to continue to contribute to the marital obligations during the pendency of the case.
Interrogatories
A type of discovery request. Written questions that must be answered under oath.
Judgment of Divorce
The formal legal document that terminates the marriage, defines the custodial and support arrangements and divides the parties estate.
Legal Custody
The parent responsible for “legal” or “major” decisions of the child. Typically, legal custody to both parties. https://vimeo.com/70407197
Marital Property
Typically property acquired during the course of the marriage and used for a marital purpose. Marital assets may also consist of pre-marital property that changed value during the course of the marriage.
Mediation
A non-binding, informal settlement process with a neutral person (the mediator) who attempts to negotiate a settlement among the parties. https://vimeo.com/70357419
Mutual Restraining Order
A Court Order prohibiting the parties from doing something such as a prohibition on the sale of property during the divorce process. Typically entered as an ex parte order.
Parenting Time
See also Visitation. The time a child spends with each parent. https://vimeo.com/70407197
Physical Custody
The custodial or “primary” custodian. Where does the child spend the majority of his/her time? https://vimeo.com/70407197
Plaintiff
The party who initiates a lawsuit or the Complaint.
Spousal Support
See also alimony. https://vimeo.com/70357676
Separate Property
Typically, property acquired before or after marriage. https://vimeo.com/70407197
Settlement Conference
A Court date usually reserved to facilitate settlement and for the scheduling of a trial date. https://vimeo.com/70357419
Service of Process
The manner and method by which someone is put on legal notice of a lawsuit. Typically a process server hands the Defendant the lawsuit, however service can be in other ways such as mail, publication, acknowledgment by the party. https://vimeo.com/70357419
Status Conference
A Court conference typically reserved for scheduling dates and assessing the status of the case. https://vimeo.com/70357419
Subpoena
A discovery request. A court order that requires a party to appear or for the production of documents.
Trial
The formal process in which the litigants present their case before a Judge (There is no right to a jury trial in a divorce case) who makes a ruling regarding the contested issues. https://vimeo.com/70357419
Visitation
See parenting time. https://vimeo.com/70407197
By: Daniel Findling
The Divorce Guy, Michigan Divorce Attorneys and Specialists
877-YOUR FIRM