Divorce Terms - P

PALIMONY - Support that is paid even if there was no legal marriage between the two parties. 

PARENS PATRIAE - Action where a state obtains jurisdiction over a minor residing within state borders. Used to help decide which state will assume jurisdiction in a custody case.
 
PARENTING CLASSES - Courses designed to help parents minimize the negative effects of divorce on their children.
 
PARTY - Refers to both the plaintiff and defendant in a legal procedure.
 
PATERNITY - Biological relationship between a father and child.
 
PERJURY - lying under oath.
 
PERSONAL JURISDICTION - The authority of the court to craft orders regarding individuals and have them enforced.
 
PERSONAL PROPERTY - Property not including real estate.
 
PETITION - Official title of the first document that is filed to begin the process of divorce.
 
PETITIONER - Party who initiates the divorce process by filing the petition.
 
PHYSICAL CUSTODY - Describes the parent with whom the child lives, can be either sole or joint custody. 
 
PLAINTIFF - Party who initiates the divorce by the filing of a divorce petition.
 
PLEADING - A written application requesting action by the court.
 
POSTNUPTIAL - A contract written between the husband and wife that sets forth their present and future rights in a future divorce.
 
PRECEDENT - Something that happened in the past that will influence how similar events will be viewed by the court in the future.
 
PRENUPTIAL AGREEMENT - Contract signed by two people before the union of marriage. Contract outlines limitation on spouse’s property in the case of divorce.
 
PRIMARY CARETAKER - The parent who provides for the day to day care of a child.
 
PRIVILEGE - The right granted to a  spouse in order to make statements to a counselor that cannot be used as evidence.
 
PRO SE DIVORCE - A divorce where each spouse chooses not to use a lawyer, rather represent themselves in court.
 
PURPOSE OF AN APPRAISAL - The estimation of value for a real property interest. 
 

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