We have clients that ask about the meaning of different terms that are used in commonly in family law as well as terms that we use as a personal injury lawyer. As a top Charlotte family law firm, we are here to provide the best resources for our clientele. Please enjoy this list of commonly used legal terms in family law.Advocate: a person who understands your circumstances and provides support on your behalfAdultery: voluntary sexual intercourse between someone who is married and another person other than their spouseAlienation of affection: a lawsuit brought against a third party for interfering with a legal marriage causing emotional harm and the disintegration of the marriageAlimony: a legal obligation to provide financial support to a spouse after a divorceAlimony lawyer: also called a spousal support attorney, represents you when you’re negotiating the terms of alimony. ( Cox Law is a top Charlotte Alimony Lawyer)Child maintenance: also known as child support; a court-ordered financial payment to support the day-to-day expenses of raising the childChild custody lawyer: A child custody lawyer can aid individuals work out custody, either by arrangement or in court. The custodial parent or guardian (the one the child lives with) earns the legal right to make decisions regarding the child's lifestyle, welfare, as well as educationChild support: court-ordered financial support that goes to the parent who has custody of the child/childrenCompensation: a monetary award meant to replace or remedy the loss or injury caused to a personContributory Negligence: when the action of someone is considered to have been irresponsible and cause for the unwanted outcomeCustody: the protective care or guardianship of someone or something. There are severaltypes of custody.
Defendant: the individual, company, or institution accused in a court of lawDiscovery: a pre-trial procedure to obtain evidence and other relative information to present at trialDivorce Lawyer: A divorce lawyeris an attorney that specializes in family law, and has experience in issues of divorce, legal separation, marriage annulment, child custody as well as visitation, and child support negotiationEarning potential: the top salary a person should be able to earn in their chosen professionEconomic damages: compensation for actual financial loss, such as wages lost or medical billsEmotional distress: mental anguish such as anxiety, depression, grief, humiliation, or apathy.Family law: the area of legal practice that focuses on family relationships such as child custody, child support and adoptionFamily lawyer: a lawyer who represents a client in a divorce and the issues associated with divorceGross monthly income: your total income before any deductions such as taxes, healthcare, etc.Hearing: the opportunity to make one’s case at trial in a court of lawJudge: a public official appointed to decide cases in a court of lawLitigation: the process of presenting your case in courtMarriage: the legal recognition of a union between two peopleMatter: a situation or topic of discussionMediation: both parties work with a mediator, or third party individual trained in mediation, to come to an agreement on all aspects of the separation/divorceMedical malpractice: when a patient is harmed because a hospital or healthcare professional’s negligenceMotion: a written request or proposal provided to a court in order to obtain an official decision or rulingNegligence: failure to use reasonable care, resulting in injury or damageNegotiation: the process of discussion used to reach an agreement between all necessary partiesNo-Fault Divorce: a divorce that does not require proof of fault or wrongdoing by either partyNon-economic damages: also known as general damages; are damages such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, disability or disfigurementPain and suffering: the legal term referring to a multitude of injuries a person may be suffering as a result of someone or something. This includes physical and emotional injury.Personal injury: the legal term for injury to a person’s body, emotions or mind as opposed to propertyPlaintiff: the person who brings a case against another person in a court of lawPrenuptial Agreement: a contract that is entered into prior to marriage, civil union, or any agreement prior to the main agreement by two people intending to marry or contract with each other for a long-term relationship. Primary custody: when there is shared custody, the person who has the child the majority of the time has primary custodyPleading: a formal statement of claims or defenses in a court of lawPost-separation support: temporary alimony meant for the interim until the full terms of alimony have been decidedProduct liability: the legal liability a manufacturer has for their products, especially if it causes injuryProperty Settlement: how assets are divided in a divorceSole custody: legal guardianship of a child by one parentSeparation Agreement: an agreement on all issues that need to be addressed, like child custody, the division of all assets, etc., before getting divorcedSplit custody: an arrangement where the children are split between the parents (Often negotiated with a Charlotte child custody lawyer)Spouse: also known as your husband, wife, mate, partnerSpousal support: also called alimony which is a legal obligation to provide financial support to a spouse after a divorceStatutes of Limitations: laws that determine the maximum amount of time of deadline that legal action can be taken after a specific event has occurred.Trial lawyer: a lawyer that represents a client and argues their case in a court of lawVisitation rights: permission by the court for the parent without custody to visit their child. This can be extended to grandparentsWrongful death: a personal injury lawsuit brought against an individual, company or institution being accused of causing death to a person because of negligence or harmful intent
