Definitions
Family Law has commonly used words (legal and other). The following is a quick list of definitions of commonly used words in family law to assist you in navigating through the process. These are intended as quick references only and should not be construed as legal advice.
Arbitrator
A neutral third party retained by the parties to conduct an arbitration.
Arbitration
A dispute resolution process entered into voluntarily by the parties as an alternative to court.
Authorization and Direction
A form signed by a client permitting a third party to speak with someone or send documents to someone.
Award
A decision rendered by an arbitrator.
Chartered Business Valuator
Financials professionals retained for the purposes of assisting in giving a value for someone income and/or business.
Child Support
A payment from one parent to the other parent for the benefit of a child.
Cohabitation Agreement
An agreement entered into by two people who are about to live together or who are already living together to address issues such as property and spousal support if the relationship breakdown.
Endorsement
A decision and/or comments and/or reasons written by a judge after an appearance in court.
Equalization
The payment made from one party to the other party to equalize the parties’ respective net family properties.
Filed
Means a document has been filed with the court.
Financial Disclosure
Information about a person’s financial circumstances on particular dates and/or for a particular time period.
Financial Statement
A standard form setting out someone’s financial position on particular dates and/or for a particular time period.
FRO
The Family Responsibility Office.
Marriage Contract
An agreement entered into by two people who are are planning to marry or who are already married to address issues such as property and spousal support if the relationship breakdown.
Mediation
An alternative dispute resolution process entered into by the parties in an attempt to resolve their disputes.
Mediator
A neutral third party retained by the parties to conduct a mediation.
Minutes of Settlement
A document signed by both parties to indicate that they have come to an agreement.
Net Family Property
Your net worth for the purposes of calculating the equalization payment.
Order
An endorsement that has been issued and entered by the court.
Parenting Agreement
An agreement setting out the parenting terms agreed to by the parties.
Parenting Coordinator
Professionals who assist parents in implementing issues arising from a parenting plan.
Party
A term used to refer to a client or their spouse.
Self-Rep
A party who is not represented by a lawyer.
Separation Agreement
An agreement finalizing issues arising from the breakdown of the relationship usually addressing issues such as child support spousal support and equalization (property division).
Served
When a document has been delivered to the other party in a formal manner according to the family law rules.
Spousal Support
Support paid from one spouse to another for contractual needs based or compensatory reasons.
Travel Consent
A letter authorizing one party to travel with the children.
Resources
To help navigate the landscape of family law, we have assembled a collection of trusted government and financial resources to provide clarity on the standards governing your case.