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Glossary Of Terms | Senoff & Enis Family Law

We have included legal terms that will have you have an understanding of terms that maybe in you situation.

NJ Divorce Questions & Answers (NJ Courts)

Glossary Of Terms | Senoff & Enis Family Law:


What is an affidavit?

Affidavit:  An affidavit is a notarized written statement made to the court when you file papers with the court swearing that the information contained in the filed papers is true.

What is alimony?

Alimony:  Alimony, or spousal support, is money paid by one spouse to another after a divorce to help with living expenses outside of child support.

What is an answer?

Answer:  An answer is a document filed by a defendant in response to a complaint filed by a plaintiff.

What is an appeal?

Appeal:  An appeal is a written request asking a higher court to look at the decision of the judge and change that judge’s decision.

What is arrears?

Arrears:  The word arrears means unpaid or overdue child support, alimony or spousal support payments.

What is a caption?

Caption:  The caption is how the parties’ names were written in the original papers filed for your divorce.  If you were the plaintiff or defendant you are still the plaintiff or defendant for all subsequent filings.

What is a cause of action?

Cause of Action:  The cause of action is the grounds for the divorce such as irreconcilable differences, separation, or extreme cruelty.

What is a certification?

Certification:  A certification is a written and signed statement made to the court when you file papers with the court, swearing that the information contained in the filed papers is true.

What is child support?

Child Support:  Child support is money paid by the non-custodial parent to the custodial parent to help support their children.

What is a complaint?

Complaint:  A complaint is a document filed with the court by the plaintiff that is the start of a court case.

What is a cross-motion?

Cross-motion:  A cross-motion is filed by a defendant to add a new claim against the plaintiff in a court case.

What is a default judgment?

Default Judgment:  The plaintiff can request a default judgment in their favor if the defendant receives the complaint and fails to respond in the time allowed.

What is a defendant?

Defendant:  The Defendant  is the person against whom a case is filed.

What is discovery?

Discovery:  After a case is filed, but before it is heard in court, all of the parties must share with each other the documents and information they plan to introduce in court.  This is called discovery.

What is a dissolution?

Dissolution:  Dissolution refers to the legal ending of a marriage, civil union or domestic partnership.

What are exhibits?

Exhibits:  Exhibits are papers and information you provide to support what is in your motion.

What does file mean?

File:  To file means to give the appropriate forms to the court to begin the court’s consideration of your request.

What are irreconcilable differences?

Irreconcilable differences:  This is the term used in New Jersey for a no-fault divorce.  It applies to divorcing couples who have lived in New Jersey for at least 12 months before the divorce is filed.  The basis of the divorce is that the couple is certain there is no way for them to reconcile.

What is a motion?

Motion:  A motion is a written request in which you ask the court to issue an order, change an order it has already issued, enforce an order it has already issued, or ask the court to take some other action related to your case.

What is an order?

Order:  An order is a signed paper from the judge telling someone they must do something.

What does party mean?

Party:  A party is a person, business or governmental agency involved in a court action.

What is a personal identifier?

Personal Identifier:  A Personal Identifier is any personal information that is unique to an individual, including a Social Security number, military status, driver’s license number, license plate number, insurance policy number, active bank account and credit card numbers.  This information could be used to steal someone’s identity or their money.  All documents filed with the court are available for public inspection.  Therefore no personal identifiers should be included on documents filed with the court.

What is a plaintiff?

Plaintiff:  The Plaintiff  is the person who files a court case.

What does pro se mean?

Pro Se:  The term Pro Se means that you are representing yourself in court without a lawyer.

What does redact mean?

Redact:  To Redact   is to remove or to hid parts of a written document.

What does relief mean?

Relief:  To ask for relief   is to ask the court for something.

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Some of the legal terms that will have you have an understanding of terms that maybe in you situation.

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