| No. | Item | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | 401(k) | tax-advantaged retirement savings plan |
| 2. | affidavit | written sworn statement |
| 3. | agreement | mutual understanding made legally binding |
| 4. | alimony | spousal financial support after divorce |
| 5. | annulment | legal declaration marriage was invalid |
| 6. | appeal | request to review a decision |
| 7. | arrears | overdue support payments owed |
| 8. | assets | property and valuables owned |
| 9. | attorney | lawyer representing a party |
| 10. | bankruptcy | legal process for overwhelming debt |
| 11. | beneficiary | person receiving money or property |
| 12. | benefit | payment or advantage received |
| 13. | budget | plan for spending money |
| 14. | buyout | purchase of another’s share |
| 15. | clerk | court official handling records |
| 16. | co-parenting | sharing parenting after separation |
| 17. | consent | permission or agreement given |
| 18. | contempt | disobeying a court order |
| 19. | continuance | postponement of a court date |
| 20. | costs | expenses connected with the case |
| 21. | counsel | lawyer or legal advice |
| 22. | custody | legal care of a child |
| 23. | debt | money owed to others |
| 24. | decree | official court divorce order |
| 25. | default | failure to respond in time |
| 26. | deposition | sworn testimony before trial |
| 27. | disclosure | sharing required financial information |
| 28. | discovery | formal exchange of case information |
| 29. | divorce | legal end of a marriage |
| 30. | docket | court’s schedule of cases |
| 31. | emancipation | legal independence of a minor |
| 32. | enforcement | making compliance with an order |
| 33. | estate | person’s money and property |
| 34. | evidence | information used to prove claims |
| 35. | exhibit | document or object shown in court |
| 36. | expense | money spent on something |
| 37. | fee | payment charged for service |
| 38. | filing | submitting legal documents officially |
| 39. | final judgment | court’s last decision in case |
| 40. | garnishment | deducting money from wages |
| 41. | grounds | legal reasons for divorce |
| 42. | guardian | person legally responsible for child |
| 43. | healing | process of emotional recovery |
| 44. | hearing | court session for arguments |
| 45. | income | money received regularly |
| 46. | inheritance | property received from a deceased person |
| 47. | injunction | court order to do or stop |
| 48. | insurance | financial protection against loss |
| 49. | inventory | detailed list of possessions |
| 50. | invoice | bill for services provided |
| 51. | IRA | individual retirement savings account |
| 52. | judge | official who decides legal matters |
| 53. | jurisdiction | court’s legal authority |
| 54. | liabilities | debts and financial obligations |
| 55. | litigation | resolving disputes through court |
| 56. | maternity | legal motherhood of a child |
| 57. | mediation | assisted negotiation to reach agreement |
| 58. | minor | person under legal adulthood |
| 59. | minute order | brief court ruling entered |
| 60. | modification | legal change to an order |
| 61. | mortgage | loan secured by a home |
| 62. | motion | formal request to the court |
| 63. | negotiation | discussion to reach terms |
| 64. | noncompliance | failure to follow required rules |
| 65. | notary | official who verifies signatures |
| 66. | oath | solemn promise to tell truth |
| 67. | order | binding direction from a court |
| 68. | parenting plan | schedule and rules for children |
| 69. | paternity | legal fatherhood of a child |
| 70. | pension | retirement income plan |
| 71. | petition | formal request filed in court |
| 72. | petitioner | person who starts the case |
| 73. | premium | amount paid for insurance |
| 74. | prenuptial | made before marriage |
| 75. | property | things owned by either spouse |
| 76. | relocation | moving residence after separation |
| 77. | residency | required living period for filing |
| 78. | resolution | final solution to a dispute |
| 79. | respondent | person answering a legal action |
| 80. | restraining order | order limiting contact or behavior |
| 81. | retainer | advance fee paid to lawyer |
| 82. | separate property | property owned by one spouse |
| 83. | separation | living apart while still married |
| 84. | service | official delivery of legal papers |
| 85. | settlement | agreed resolution of divorce issues |
| 86. | stipulation | agreed fact or procedure |
| 87. | subpoena | order requiring testimony or records |
| 88. | summons | notice to appear in court |
| 89. | support | money paid for family needs |
| 90. | tax return | annual tax filing document |
| 91. | testimony | spoken evidence under oath |
| 92. | title | legal ownership of property |
| 93. | transcript | written record of spoken proceedings |
| 94. | trial | formal court examination of evidence |
| 95. | trust | legal arrangement holding property |
| 96. | valuation | determining an asset’s worth |
| 97. | venue | proper location for a case |
| 98. | visitation | time a parent spends together |
| 99. | waiver | voluntary giving up of rights |
| 100. | witness | person giving relevant evidence |