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 |
|---|---|
| Satisfaction of Judgment | A document indicating a judgment has been paid or otherwise is no longer due, required to be filed with the clerk of each court where the judgment has been docketed and also recorded in the office of each county recorder where the judgment has been recorded. |
| Sentence | Punishment set by the court or jury within the range of punishments authorized by statute. |
| Separation Agreement | A document that may determine parental rights and responsibilities, parent/child contact and support without granting a divorce. |
| Service | The formal delivery of a petition, notice, or other papers to someone in a legal action as noted by court rule. |
| Settlement | An agreement that is reached by the opposing individuals making it unnecessary for the court to resolve the controversy. |
| Sheriff's Fee | The amount charged by the sheriff for serving a document to a person. |
| Simplified Application of the Guidelines | The simplified application of the guidelines is the amount located in the schedule based upon the gross monthly income of the parent claiming this adjustment, and number of children subject to this adjustment. |
| Small Claims Court | Special division court at each justice court to legally resolve claims that do not exceed $3,500. The proceedings are less formal than in other types of courts and individuals usually represent themselves. |
| Sole Legal Decision Making | Means one parent has the legal right and responsibility to make major decisions for a child. |
| Spousal Maintenance | Support for a spouse or former spouse ordered by the court; this arrangement may be temporary or permanent. In a IV-D case this can be enforced only when there is an accompanying child support order. Also known as Alimony. |
| Standard Deduction | The standard deduction is the amount that is automatically calculated (based upon a simplified application of the guidelines) and inserted into the calculator. This amount may not be exceeded by an alternate deduction for support provided to other natural or adopted children, who are not subject of a court order. |
| State Parent Locator Service | The system in the IV-D agency used to locate parents. |
| Status Conference | A meeting at court, in which the court attempts to identify what issues are contested, what discovery needs to be completed, and what future hearings are needed. No evidence is presented and no witnesses are called at these meetings. |
| Statute | Law enacted by the Legislature and published in the Arizona Revised Statutes. |
| Statute of Limitations | Refers to the period of time within which a person must begin a legal action. |
| Stipulation | An agreement between opposing individuals on any matter relating to the proceeding or trial. |
| Subpoena | An order to compel someone to come to a court at a certain date and time; there are penalties if that person does not come to court. |
| Substitute | The children always spend a specific holiday with one parent (for example, Halloween) in exchange for a different holiday with the other parent (for example, Fourth of July) |
| Suit | See Action in this Glossary. |
| Summary Jury Trials | A process whereby a jury is selected, and counsel for each side in the dispute present their best case before the jury and judge. The jury is empaneled by the court, and at the conclusion of the presentations, the judge gives abbreviated instructions. The jurors return with an advisory verdict intended to educate the persons about the view of the jury of the case. Counsel and individuals are usually given an opportunity to discuss the basis for the advisory verdict with the jurors. A settlement conference is then conducted by the judge. If no settlement is reached, the individuals may proceed to trial. |