Understanding family law terminology is essential when navigating divorce or custody matters in Illinois. This glossary provides clear definitions of key terms to help you better understand the legal processes and options available to you.
A
Alimony: Payments from one spouse to another for financial support.
Annulment: A legal process to void a marriage as though it never occurred.
Appeal: A request to a higher court to review a decision made in a family law case.
B
Best Interests of the Child: A standard courts use to decide custody based on the child’s welfare.
Business Valuation: Determining the value of a business during divorce proceedings.
C
Child Custody: The legal arrangement determining where a child lives and who makes decisions.
Child Support: Financial payments made by one parent to another for the child’s needs.
Collaborative Divorce: A non-adversarial approach to resolving divorce cases.
D
Discovery: A pre-trial process where both parties gather evidence and information.
Dissolution of Marriage: The legal term for divorce in Illinois.
E
Equitable Distribution: The division of marital property based on fairness rather than equality.
Enforcement: Legal action taken to ensure compliance with court orders.
F
Fault Divorce: A divorce where one party must prove the other’s misconduct (not applicable in Illinois).
G
Guardian Ad Litem (GAL): A court-appointed advocate for the child’s best interests in custody cases.
I
Illinois Parenting Plan: A legal document outlining custody and visitation agreements.
M
Marital Property: Assets acquired during the marriage, subject to division.
Mediation: A process where a neutral third party helps spouses resolve disputes.
P
Parental Alienation: Actions by one parent to damage the child’s relationship with the other parent.
Paternity: Legal determination of a child’s biological father.
Postnuptial Agreement: A legal agreement made after marriage outlining asset division in case of divorce.
Q
Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO): A court order dividing retirement plans during divorce.
R
Relocation: When a parent seeks to move with the child, requiring court approval.
S
Separate Property: Assets owned by one spouse before marriage or acquired individually.
Shared Parenting: An arrangement where both parents have significant time with the child.
T
Temporary Orders: Court orders in place during the divorce process for support, custody, or visitation.
W
Wage Garnishment: A legal process where child or spousal support is deducted directly from wages.
