San Francisco Family Attorney

Family Law Legal Terms

Alternative Dispute Resolution –A non-trial method to dissolving disputes. This term includes both arbitration and mediation.

Annulment –A form of legal separation that, unlike divorce, requires one of the parties to prove the marriage was never valid to start with.

Asset Valuation –The process of determining the values of a couple’s assets and debts.

Child Support –Payments made from one parent to another that are used to support the couple’s child.

Cohabitation Agreement –A legally-binding, non-marital agreement that details the responsibilities and rights of each person in a relationship. Because these agreements are often highly complex, it is often advisable to only create them with the guidance and support of a skilled San Francisco divorce attorney.

Communal Property –Property that was acquired through the course of the marriage, and is subject to property distribution during a divorce.

Contested –Disagreed with. In terms of family law, this can occur in contested divorces and contested adoptions and will require the help of a skilled San Francisco divorce lawyer to settle out.

Custodial Parent –The parent who has the majority of child custody.

Domestic Violence –Verbal or physical assaults within the home.

Equitable Distribution –Fair, but not necessarily equal, property distribution based on each person’s role in the marriage.

Grandparent Rights –The rights of grandparents in regards to children during a divorce.

Marital Assets –Communal property.

Marriage Dissolution –A legal term used for a divorce.

Mediation –A form of dispute resolution that is often used in divorces in an effort to avoid costly and lengthy court battles.

No-Fault Divorce –Divorces that can take place without either party having to prove fault.

Paternity –A man’s biological connection with a child.

Post Modification Orders –Changes made to a divorce settlement after it has been finalized. Making these revisions often requires the help of a skilled San Francisco divorce attorney.

Prenuptial Agreement –An agreement that states what will happen if a marriage is ended.

Sole Custody –When one parent has exclusive custody of a child.

Spousal Support –A form of compensation made from one ex-spouse to the other.

Visitation –A non-custodial parent’s time with their child.

If you have any questions, please call a skilled San Francisco divorce lawyer from The Law Offices of Randall A. Richmond.

459 Fulton St, #303
San Francisco, CA 94102
Phone: 415-701-8300