Legal Terms

Abuse - The physical, sexual, or emotional mistreatment of a child.

Alimony - An outdated term, alimony is now called "spousal support." Please see the definition of spousal support below.

Child support - A court order that requires a person to pay money for the support of a child. In Ohio, the payment of child support is enforced by the Child Support Enforcement Agency. A person can hire a private attorney to increase, decrease, enforce, or terminate the payment of child support. In Ohio, the failure to pay child support can result in a jail sentence or the revocation of the obligor's professional license; such as, a real estate broker's license.

Companionship - Also referred to as "visitation," it is the right to visit with, interact with, and to have a relationship with a child.

Delinquency - The allegation that a minor (a person under the age of 18) has committed an act that would constitute a crime if the same act was committed by an adult.

Dependency - A child is deemed "dependent" on the State of Ohio for care, custody, and/or control when it is determined by a court that the person having custody of the child has failed to provide a proper home environment.

Divorce - A lawsuit filed asking the court to: 1) terminate a marriage, 2) allocate parental rights and responsibilities, 3) order the payment of child support, 4) order the payment of spousal support, 5) provide for the division of marital property, and 6) distribute marital debts and assets.

Dissolution - The termination of a marriage based upon the terms of a Separation Agreement. A Separation Agreement is a contract entered into by the husband and wife and it must be approved by the court. Unlike a divorce where a judge decides the issues, in a dissolution, the parties make their own decisions about parental rights and responsibilities, child support, spousal support, and the division of marital property, debts and assets. All of these decisions are included in the Separation Agreement. A dissolution is always preferable over a divorce. It is a quicker and a less stressful process than a divorce.

Domestic Relations Court - Also called "Family Court," Domestic Relations Court has authority over divorces, dissolutions, child support cases, child custody cases, domestic violence cases (also called "civil protection actions"), legal separations, and contempt of court actions.

Expulsion - A disciplinary action taken by school authorities which results in the removal of a student from classes for a specified period of time.

Family Court - See Domestic Relations Court and Juvenile Court.

Guardian ad Litem - A lawyer or other trained person who is appointed by the court to advocate for whatever is in the best interests of a child.

Juvenile Court - As part of the Family Court system, the Juvenile Court has authority over cases involving minors under the age of 18 years, and sometimes can have continuing authority over juveniles up to the age of 21.

Marital property - Property earned or acquired by either spouse during the marriage.

Neglect - A parent is guilty of neglect when a court determines that he or she has failed to provide for the physical, medical, and/or emotional needs of a child.

Negligence - When a person acts or fails to act in a manner that a reasonable, prudent person would act under similar circumstances, the person is said to be negligent.

Ohio Child Support Guidelines - A statutory formula for calculating child support in the state of Ohio. All Ohio child support orders are calculated using this formula. Only the Family Court Judge has the authority to deviate from the guidelines when circumstances permit. "Deviate" means to make a decision that is contrary to the Guidelines, but is in the best interests of the child or children.

Probate Court - The court that deals with adoptions, estates, wills, trusts, guardianships, conservatorships and civil commitments.

Shared parenting - Formerly known as "joint custody," an arrangement by which both parents have equal or similar rights concerning their child's care, custody, and control. Shared Parenting often involves creative arrangements allowing the child to live with each parent at different times.

Spousal support - Formerly known as "alimony," payments that provide for the support and maintenance of a former spouse, as well as, for the equalization of income. Depending on the financial circumstances of the parties, the court may order the husband or the wife to pay Spousal Support to the other.

Suspension - Disciplinary action taken by school authorities which results in a student's temporary removal from classes, but the student usually remains in school. Suspension is less serious than Expulsion.

Unruly - A child is said to be "unruly" when he or she will not follow the rules of home, school, or community and as a result, is subjected to penalties imposed by the court.

Visitation - See companionship.

Are there other legal terms that you would like to see defined?

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