Glossary of Family Law Terms

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z #

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Child Support: A legal responsibility that both parents have to provide adequate financial support for the children until each reaches the age of emancipation (In Ohio, this is at the age of 18). The goal is to keep the children in the same quality of lifestyle that they would have experienced had the divorce not taken place.

Common Law Marriage: Two people agree, live together and hold themselves out to the public as husband and wife, but do not go through a ceremonial marriage. Common Law Marriages are no longer recognized in Ohio.

Complaint: A document filed in a court by one party against another that states a grievance, called a “cause of action.” 

Condonation: An express or implied forgiveness by the innocent spouse of the marital fault committed by the other spouse.

Contempt Of Court: Obstructing the authority of the court by intentionally violating a court order. 

Corroboration: Additional evidence (sometimes in the form of a witness) of a point beyond what is offered by the person asserting the point.

Custodial Parent: The parent who has physical custody of the child.

Custody: Legal guardianship of the children. Frequently, in a divorce proceeding, custody will be shared between the parents (“shared parenting”). Less frequently, there will be a reason to award custody only to one parent (“sole custody”).