family court
Domestic disputes venue
Family court is a division of the judicial system that handles domestic matters: divorce, child custody, child support, adoption, paternity disputes, and protective orders in cases of domestic violence.
The proceedings tend to focus on the welfare of children and the resolution of family relationships rather than punishment.
They spent two years battling in family court over custody.
Document dividing child responsibilities
- joint custodyDivided parental legal responsibility
- sole custodyOne parent's complete authority
- visitation rightsNoncustodial parent's scheduled contact
- child supportMandated parental financial contribution
best interests · guardianship · parental rights · co-parenting · primary caregiver · legal guardian · physical custody · parental alienation
Court-ordered post-divorce payments
- settlementResolved dispute or colony
- separationState of being apart
- dissolutionBreaking up completely
- spousal supportPayments to ex-partner
annulment · petitioner · respondent · marital assets · no-fault · grounds · uncontested · divorce decree
Supervised substitute parenting
- guardianshipLegal care of another
- placementPutting somewhere specific
- consentVoluntary agreement given
- biological parentOne who conceived offspring
agency · open adoption · closed adoption · finalization · birth mother · adoptive parent · relinquishment · international adoption
One who decides
- hearingPerceiving sound waves
- petitionFormal written appeal
- jurisdictionLegal authority's scope
- magistrateCivil judicial officer
testimony · plaintiff · defendant · attorney · verdict · appeal · docket · judgment
Settling disputes between parties
- facilitatorNeutral process guide
- negotiationDiscussion seeking mutual accord
- settlementResolved dispute or colony
- compromiseAgreement through mutual sacrifice
arbitration · conciliation · collaborative · agreement · neutral · dispute resolution · amicable
Abuse between household members
- restraining orderCourt-enforced avoidance mandate
- protection orderLegal barrier against contact
- abuseCruel or violent treatment
- harassmentAggressive, unwanted targeting
victim advocate · shelter · safety plan · emergency order · temporary order · violation · stalking · no-contact order
parenting plan
Document dividing child responsibilities
- joint custodyDivided parental legal responsibility
- sole custodyOne parent's complete authority
- visitation rightsNoncustodial parent's scheduled contact
child support · best interests · guardianship · parental rights · co-parenting · primary caregiver · legal guardian · physical custody · parental alienation · custodial parent
alimony
Court-ordered post-divorce payments
- settlementResolved dispute or colony
- separationState of being apart
- dissolutionBreaking up completely
spousal support · annulment · petitioner · respondent · marital assets · no-fault · grounds · uncontested · divorce decree · legal separation
foster care
Supervised substitute parenting
- guardianshipLegal care of another
- placementPutting somewhere specific
- consentVoluntary agreement given
biological parent · agency · open adoption · closed adoption · finalization · birth mother · adoptive parent · relinquishment · international adoption · kinship
judge
One who decides
- hearingPerceiving sound waves
- petitionFormal written appeal
- jurisdictionLegal authority's scope
magistrate · testimony · plaintiff · defendant · attorney · verdict · appeal · docket · judgment · courtroom
conflict resolution
Settling disputes between parties
- facilitatorNeutral process guide
- negotiationDiscussion seeking mutual accord
- settlementResolved dispute or colony
compromise · arbitration · conciliation · collaborative · agreement · neutral · dispute resolution · amicable
domestic violence
Abuse between household members
- restraining orderCourt-enforced avoidance mandate
- protection orderLegal barrier against contact
- abuseCruel or violent treatment
harassment · victim advocate · shelter · safety plan · emergency order · temporary order · violation · stalking · no-contact order · protective custody
- courtsdistrict courts, federal courts, circuit courts, municipal courts, trial courts
- divorcedivorce decree, divorce papers, divorce filing, divorce lawyer, divorce petition
- child lawchild custody, child protection, child welfare, child support, child rights
- court systemdistrict courts, county courts, municipal courts, city courts, small claims
- custodychild custody, joint custody, custody agreement, custody schedule, custody evaluation
- legal bodiesmilitary tribunal, war crimes tribunal
family courtcriminal court
Forum for prosecuting offenses
war crimes tribunal · court-martial · traffic court · bankruptcy court · tax court
family, court, unfamiliar, families, familial, familiarize, familiarly, familiarization, familiarized