As you go through the divorce process, it is likely you will encounter some legal jargon with which you are not familiar. With this in mind, we’ve collected a list of some divorce-related terms you should learn so you can stay informed and plugged in throughout your case.
Take a look below.
- Annulment: The ending to a marriage that was invalid in the eyes of the law. The effect is that the marriage never legally occurred.
- Contempt of court: A purposeful failure to comply with court orders, judgments or divorce decrees, punishable by fines or jail time.
- Dissolution: The dissolution of marriage is the act of terminating the marriage.
- Equitable distribution: Property is to be divided equitably in a divorce. “Equitable” here is a synonym for “fair,” not “equal.” A fair arrangement for property division may (and likely will) not result in a 50/50 split of assets and wealth.
- Marital property: Property acquired by spouses during the marriage.
- Petitioner: In a divorce case, the petitioner is the party who filed for the divorce.
- Relief: Relief is what a party in the divorce asks the court to do. This may include dissolving the marriage, awarding support, enforcing court orders, dividing property, dismissing complaints, etc.
- Separate property: Property acquired by spouses before the marriage, or property that belongs to only one spouse and does not qualify as marital property.
- Subpoenas: Documents served to parties or witnesses who must appear in court to testify in the divorce. A failure to comply with a subpoena can result in the party being held in contempt of court.
- Summons: A written notification of legal action commencing, requiring a response from the recipient within a certain amount of time.
For more information about various common divorce terms, contact an experienced Minnesota divorce attorney at Appelhof, Pfeifer & Hart, P.A.