Divorce Terms - L

LAW GUARDIAN - An attorney assigned by a judge to handle a child’s rights during an intense or prolonged custody disagreement. 

LEGAL CUSTODY - The authority that one parent or both parents share to make legal decisions for the child.

LEGAL SEPARATION - A lawsuit regarding support while spouses are living apart and separated.
 
LEVERAGE FACTORS - Things which are considered by both parties that pertain to the different issues that are being disputed. 
 
LIEN - A hindrance put on a property owned by a debtor. It prevents the sale or any refinancing on the property until the debt has been re-paid.
 
LIQUIDATION VALUE - Refers to the price that the owner must accept when the property is sold without reasonable exposure, most times much lesser than its actual value. 
 
LITIGATION - Using the court system to resolve a legal dispute.
 
LONG ARM - What a court must use in order to gain jurisdiction over someone outside the jurisdiction of the court. 
 
LUMP - SUM ALIMONY - Alimony in the form of a fixed amount. Sometimes it can be paid in installments until it is fulfilled.