A consent divorce refers to a divorce granted where both parties agree to the divorce, and both go to a particular jurisdiction to obtain the divorce. This type of divorce is not valid if neither spouse is domiciled in the jurisdiction where...
marriage
consummation
Consummation means the completion of a thing. Some common uses of the term “consummation” in a legal sense include:
In the context of marriage, consummation means the actualization of marriage. It is the first act of sexual intercourse...covenant marriage
A covenant marriage is an arrangement where marrying spouses agree that their marriage will last for the rest of their lives. However, it does provide for a divorce in a limited number of situations. Those limited situations include: 1) one...
curtesy
Curtesy is an outdated term that refers to the portion of an estate a husband is entitled to upon the passing of their spouse. If a person passes intestate, the surviving husband would be entitled normally to a life-estate to all of their...
custodial interference
Custodial interference refers to a parent breaking court determined custodial instructions. This can be as major as taking a child from the sole custodian or as minimal as calling a child more than directed. Custodial interference is a crime...
custodial parent
A custodial parent is the parent that lives with and cares for their minor child for all (sole physical custody) or most (primary physical custody) of the time. This contrasts with the noncustodial parent, who might have the child on a...
custody
Custody is the state of physically holding or controlling a person or piece of property, or of having the right to do so. A person who has custody over property or another person often has affirmative duties to protect and care for those in...
custody (of a child)
Custody determines who lives with, cares for, and can make important decisions about a minor child. While such arrangements can be informally agreed upon by the parents, in family law the question generally arises following the separation or...
Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA)
The Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) was a federal law passed by the 104th United States Congress intended to define and protect the institution of marriage. This law specifically defined marriage as the union of one man and one woman which...
dissolution
Dissolution is the act of bringing an end or termination of a legal relationship between two parties, such as a partnership, contract or marriage.
In the context of partnership law, dissolution is a fundamental change of...