Family law

Family law

Law that deals with family-related issues such as spousal abuse, legitimacy, adoption, surrogacy, child abuse, and child abduction.

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Family law

When the judge does not make a decision right away after hearing the evidence. If the judge wants some time to think about the issues he or she takes them "under advisement. " He or she will issue a ...

Affirmative defence

Legal services; Family law

A claim the defendant would make in his or her answer that attacks the plaintiff's legal right to bring an action, as opposed to attacking the truth of a claim raised in the complaint. The ...

Opposition

Legal services; Family law

The name of the paper you file in response to the other party's motion. An opposition is the second step in the three-step process called motion practice.

Arrears

Legal services; Family law

Payments that are due but have not been made. Also called arrearages; outstanding; umpaid.

Mediation

Legal services; Family law

Mediation is a voluntary and confidential process in which a neutral third-party facilitator (the mediator) helps people discuss difficult issues and negotiate an agreement. Parties in mediation ...

Affidavit and memorandum

Legal services; Family law

The sworn statement and argument filed with a motion. See motion practise for more information and forms.

Early neutral evaluation

Legal services; Family law

Early neutral evaluation provides parties in a dispute with an early and frank evaluation of the merits of their case by an objective, neutral evaluator. Like mediation, early neutral evaluation is ...