Divorce Definitions

Alimony A payment made by one spouse to another pending divorce or separation. Buccal Swab A recognized form of genetic testing used to determine paternity, which involves a q-tip type instrument for collecting saliva from individuals submitting to testing. Absolute divorce A divorce in which the marriage is completely dissolved and both parties become single. Contested Divorce A divorce where the parties are unable or unwilling to come to a mutual agreement. Legal Separation A court order arranging the terms (custody, support, etc.) under which a married couple will live separately. This addresses the same issues as divorce, but does not completely dissolve the marriage. Annulment The legal dissolution of a marriage. In an annulment, the marriage is treated as though it never existed. Supervised visitation A form of visitation in which an adult supervisor must be present when the child is visiting with the non-custodial parent. Domestic Violence Petition This form serves as your application for a protective order; after obtaining one from the courthouse clerk, completing and returning it, it will be reviewed by a judge. Abandonment When a parent leaves a child without enough care, supervision, support, or parental contact for an excessive period of time. Divorce agreement A divorce agreement spells out the terms of the divorce and the relationship between the two spouses after the divorce. These agreements usually cover property division, child custody and child plans, debt division, spousal support, and any other relevant issues related to the divorce.

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	Did You Know?
	Permanent and incurable insanity is a ground for divorce. For insanity to be considered permanently incurable, a person must have been confined in a mental institution, hospital, or other institution for at least three years, and at least two physicians competent in psychiatry must testify that the insanity is permanently incurable.