In the fall of 2024, the Arizona Department of Child Safety (DCS) mailed letters to parents who once had an open dependency and/or severance case.
Did you receive a letter? Visit the DCS letter page for more information.
Family Law
Glossaries
| Term | Main definition |
|---|---|
| Garnishee | The person upon whom a garnishment is served. (Verb: to institute garnishment proceedings.) |
| Garnishment | A legal remedy whereby the property or money of the debtor that isin the possession or under the control of a third person (garnishee) is withheld from the debtor and applied to the debt. |
| General Jurisdiction Court | Court that has authority to hear all legal actions not assigned exclusively to another court. |
| Genetic Testing | A way to determine the parents of a child by testing the chromosomes of each parent and child through taking a blood sample. |
| Grand Jury | A group of 12-16 citizens who usually serve a term of not more than 120 days to hear or investigate charges of criminal behavior. TA grand jury indictment is a written accusation charging a defendant with commission of a crime. |
| Grantee Relative | A relative who has physical or legal custody of and is receiving public assistance for the children of another person. |
| Gross Income | The total income before deductions, exemptions, or tax reductions. |
| Guardian | A person appointed by the court to manage the affairs of a child or incapacitated person. Note: A guardian does not have a duty of support to the child in his/her care. |