Peter J. Fiorella, Jr. & Associates
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GLOSSARY OF LEGAL TERMS


        Peter and his associate, Joseph Kilbridge, Esq., prepared this Glossary of Legal Terms for their clients, which are used in divorces and with which many are unfamiliar.  The terms defined below are part of the “legalese” that have been converted to an easy and meaningful definition for their clients.

Alimony                                    An allowance for support made to a divorced person by the former spouse, usually
 (Maintenance):​                the chief provider during the marriage.

Child Support:                 Support paid by one spouse to the other who has residential custody of the children
​                                                  after the parents are separated or divorced.
 

Dual Track:                  Peter implemented this system in his law office whereby preparation of a Parenting
                                                   Plan Agreement is done first
so as to lessen the stress on the parties and their children,
                                                   then the drafting of a Property Settlement Agreement regarding all financial matters.

Grandmasters:                  Select lawyers who play the legal chess game "three boards at a time." 
​​

Marital Assets:                   Assets acquired by either spouse during the time period that stretches between the
                                                     date of the marriage and the commencement of a divorce action.  An action is
                                                     commenced when the Summons for Divorce is filed in the County Clerk's Office.

Parenting Plan                      Peter created a comprehensive Parenting Plan Agreement which provides for the
Agreement:                            custody and access of the children.  This written agreement is detailed to avoid future
                                                      litigation over foreseeable issues. 

Property Settlement          Peter has created a comprehensive Property Settlement Agreement which details all
Agreement:                             financial settlement issues including alimony (maintenance),  child support, division 
                                                      of 401(k) Plans, 403(b) Plans, Individual Retirement Accounts (IRA), Pensions, bank
                                                      accounts, etc.  This agreement also details the division of personal property and
                                                      separate property claims.  



Settlement                                A "reader's digest" version of the Property Settlement Agreement, it is provided for
Memorandum                        the client to review and thereafter, to be sent to opposing counsel and spouse for any
Agreement:                              clarifications/modifications so as to avoid numerous exchanges of letters between
                                                        legal counsel. The SMA allows the parties and counsel to significantly narrow the
                                                        issues in dispute but also enables the parties to review what has been agreed to.

Statement of Financial      Mandatory financial affidavit required by the Court that lists all assets and liabilities 
Net Worth (236-B                 of the parties, including bank accounts, retirement funds, real property, personal 
Affidavit):                                property, automobiles, etc.  Peter uses the financial affidavit as a baseline for 

                                                       preparing the Property Settlement Agreement.

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Peter J. Fiorella, Jr., Esq., represents clients in New York, including Buffalo, Williamsville, Niagara Falls and Amherst.
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446 Evans Street, Williamsville, New York  14221
Phone:   (716) 882-3333       *     (716) 634-4486 x206      *       Fax:  (716) 565-1897


Divorce Lawyers Williamsville, NY 
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