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 |
|---|---|
| Oath | Swearing or affirming that a statement is true. If someone makes a statement under oath and knows it is false, that person may be subjected to prosecution for perjury. Written documents as well as spoken testimony may be made under oath. |
| Obligee | Commonly refers to the person to whom monthly support is payable. |
| Obligor | Commonly refers to the person ordered to pay support. |
| Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE) | The federal office established to oversee the administration of Title IV-D of the Social Security Act. |
| Offset | The reduction of a support indebtedness. (In IV-D, refers to the application of federal or state tax refund monies to child support arrearage.) |
| Opinion | Written statement issued to report the decision of an appellate court. |
| Order to Show Cause | A court order directing a person to appear in court and respond to a legal petition or complaint. |