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.
(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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
