Definition of Terms

A court order for financial payments made to help support a spouse or former spouse during separation or following divorce. It may be permanent or only for a set period of time or paid in a lump sum.

Methods of resolving legal disputes with out going to trial, in a less confrontational manner, such as through arbitration or mediation.

A legal procedure that voids a marriage and declares it null from its inception.

A Certified Divorce Lending Professional® is a licensed mortgage professional who completed the coursework and passed the exams required to obtain the CDLP® designation. The course includes over 20 hours of study covering knowledge of family law, financial tax planning and mortgage financing in the context of real property in a divorce situation. The CDLP® works directly with other members of the professional divorce team, such as attorneys, mediators, financial planners, and others focused on integrating divorce mortgage planning into the financial case management of divorce homeowners.

A Certified Divorce Real Estate Expert (CDRE®) is an experienced Realtor® with specialized training and certification to provide expert real estate support in divorce cases within the field of family law. 

CDFA® professionals provide the client and attorney with data analysis that shows the financial effect of any given settlement. They become part of the divorce team and provide support on financial issues such as:
– Understanding the short-term and long-term effects of dividing property
– Analyzing pensions and retirement plans.
– Determining if the client can afford the marital home, and if not, what he or she can afford.
– Recognizing the tax consequences of different settlement proposals.

The court’s written order or decision finalizing the divorce, often issued in conjunction with the court’s judgment. This a legal document that give you the details of your divorce.

The reorganizing of legal obligations.

When one spouse files for divorce because the other spouse has done something that warrants the end of the marriage. Reasons may include adultery, abandonment, abuse or cruelty, or impotence. Fault divorces are rare, and the respondent spouse can defend themselves from the accusations in court.

A petitioner does not have to prove the spouse did anything wrong when ending their marriage. A divorce is filed because of “irreconcilable difference”, of the marriage is said to be “irretrievably broken.” This the most common type of divorce.

Often, the person who initiates divorce or marriage dissolution proceedings. Also called the plaintiff in court proceedings.

The person who initiates legal proceedings, of called the petitioner in family law matters.

Latin for “for oneself, on one’s own behalf.” When a litigant proceeds without legal counsel.