Family Law
An area of the law that deals with family related issues including but not limited to: divorce, separation, cohabitation, pre marital agreements, finances, children issues, parental rights.
Custody
The American term used for “Residence” in relation to children. When a couple separates, the issue of (“custody”) - where a child will reside and who with must be determined.
Alimony or Spousal maintenance
Based on the premise that both spouses in theory have a legal obligation to support each other during their marriage (or civil union) or upon separation or/and divorce.
Legal Separation
Sometimes called "judicial separation" - this is a legal process by which a married couple may formalize their separation while remaining legally married.
Some couples obtain a legal separation as an alternative to a divorce, based on moral or religious objections to divorce.
Legal separation does not automatically lead to divorce. The couple might reconcile, in which case they do not have to do anything in order to continue their marriage. If the two do not reconcile, and they wish to proceed with a divorce, they must file for divorce explicitly
Adultery
Voluntary sexual intercourse between a married person and a person of the opposite sex, other than the lawful spouse. Religious and legal interpretations of what constitutes adultery vary widely.
It is a common ground used for divorce but evidence of the adultery is required by the Court.
A divorce cannot be based on adultery at the present time where there is a civil partnership in place.
Common law
Sometimes used as a synonym for "non-marital relationship contract", as well as for domestic partnership
Ancillary Relief An application for financial relief following the presentation of a petition for divorce, nullity or judicial separation
Parental Rights
While the law does not define in detail what parental responsibility is, the following list sets out the key roles:
• providing a home for the child
• protecting and maintaining the child
• disciplining the child
• choosing and providing for the child's education
• determining the religion of the child
• agreeing to the child's medical treatment
• naming the child
• accompanying the child outside the UK
Joint custody
The sharing of the “residence of the child” whereby both parents spend an equal amount of time with the child and are jointly responsible for the child’s care and upbringing.
Visitation/contact
The time allotted to a non resident parent to spend time with their child/make contact with their child. Contact can either be (not an exhaustive list) face to face, on the phone, in writing, at a contact centre or at a place of your choice
Cohabitation
An arrangement where two people who are not married live together in a relationship akin to marriage
