Divorce Terms - M

MAGISTRATE - Someone who performs many of the same things that a judge does, but is not allowed to issue a court order, rather only make suggestions. 

 

MAINTENANCE - Synonym for alimony of spousal support.

 

MARITAL PROPERTY - All property that is acquired by the spouses during the marriage. Usually does not include inheritance or property acquired before the marriage. 

MARITAL SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT - Agreement signed and approved by both parties in a divorce pertaining their rights to property, custody and support. 

 

MEDIATION - Divorce procedure where the court is not involved, rather a third neutral party is there to assist in the divorce process.

 

MEDIATOR - Neutral third party in the mediation process.

 

MILITARY ALLOTMENT - Automatic deduction from the non-custodial parent’s military salary.

 

MISTRIAL -The termination of a trial because of an error that makes the trial invalid. 

 

MODIFICATION - Changing the terms of a certain order.

 

MOTION - a written or verbal request to the court for some form of action.

 

MOTION TO MODIFY -A request to the court to modify a previous order regarding child support, alimony, custody or other divorce related issues.