Family Law Term

Mediation

Definition

A process where a neutral third party helps parents reach agreements on custody, support, and property without going to trial. Voluntary or court-ordered. Less adversarial and less expensive than litigation.

Related terms

Jurisdiction
A court's legal authority to hear a case. For custody, jurisdiction is typically in the state where the child has lived for the past 6 months (the "home state").
Marital Property
Assets acquired during the marriage, subject to equitable distribution. Includes homes, cars, retirement accounts, businesses, and debts. Excludes inheritances and pre-marital property (in most states).
Modification
A request to change an existing court order due to a substantial change in circumstances: job loss, relocation, change in the child's needs, or new safety concerns.
Motion
A formal written request to the court asking for a specific ruling or order. Common motions include motions for custody, motions to modify support, and motions for contempt.
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