Legal Glossary
Legal terms explained in plain language
Divorce
Contested divorce
A divorce where the spouses do not agree on the terms.
Legal separation
Separating legally while remaining married.
Uncontested divorce
A divorce where both spouses agree to separate and on the terms.
Custody
Joint custody
Both parents share time with and parenting of the children.
Parental authority
The right to make important decisions about the children.
Sole custody
The children live mainly with one parent.
Visitation schedule
When the parent the children do not live with can see them.
Properties
Community property
Assets the couple bought together during the marriage.
Community property regime
Everything bought during the marriage belongs to both spouses.
Division of community property
Sharing out what the couple bought together.
Family home
The home where the family lived with the children.
Participation regime
Each spouse owns their own assets during the marriage, but the gains are shared on divorce.
Separate property
Assets that belonged to one spouse before the marriage.
Separation of property regime
Each spouse owns whatever they buy.
Usufruct
The right to use something without owning it.
Financial Matters
Child support
Money paid to cover the children's living costs.
Extraordinary expenses
Significant, non-routine costs for the children.
Spousal maintenance
Financial support for the spouse left worse off by the divorce.
Legal Process
Contested proceedings
A court process with a hearing when there is no agreement.
Divorce decree
The judge's final ruling that makes the divorce official.
Divorce settlement agreement
The written agreement setting out how everything is organised after the divorce.
Interim measures
Temporary decisions made while the divorce is being resolved.
Modification of measures
Changing what was agreed when circumstances change.
Uncontested proceedings
A faster court process when both spouses agree.