Family Law

The division of DES charged with the statewide administration and operation of IV-D child support programs.

A way to determine the parents of a child by testing the chromosomes of each parent and child through taking a blood sample.

A written list containing brief notes of all the important acts done in court in each case. The name "docket" or " trial docket" is sometimes given to the list or calendar of cases set for trial or other hearings at a specified time and date.

A number that is given to each case as it is filed in the court. This number should be listed on all papers that are filed with the court.

Branch of the law that deals with families and children.

The legal obligations of each parent to support minor natural or adopted unemancipated children. In Arizona this obligation continues past the age of majority (currently age 18) if the child is still attending high school or in a certified high school equivalency program, or when the child as minor was found to be disabled and the court has ordered the payments to continue.

A status of independence of children from their parents due to age or circumstance.

A parenting time arrangement that allows both parents to spend essentially equal time, each year, with the children.

Testimony of a witness, an object or written documents submitted in court about the facts in a case.

Latin phrase for relief that is sought (and may be granted) without notice to the opposing person. Commonly used in obtaining an order of protection.

The remaining amount of a support payment forwarded to the TANF family in addition to the $50 disregard after the state has retained a portion to reimburse itself for the TANF grant of the current month. The excess plus the $50 disregard will not, however, exceed the amount of the current support set out in the court order.

A legal remedy used to enforce a judgment, by which a law enforcement officer may confiscate property of the debtor. Also refers to the process of serving a civil arrest warrant.

A document or object that is offered into evidence during a trial or hearing.

Extra education expenses refer to any reasonable and necessary expenses for attending private or special schools or necessary expenses to meet particular educational needs of a child, when such expenses are incurred by agreement of both parents or ordered by the court.

Extraordinary child expenses are expenses associated with the special needs of gifted or handicapped children.

A trial court that has jurisdiction over all family cases, including divorce, child support, parentage, domestic abuse and juvenile cases.

A judicial officer appointed in the superior court to establish and enforce support orders in IV-D cases.

A national system operated by OCSE for the purpose of searching federal government records to locate parents.

A serious crime, punishable by imprisonment in a state penitentiary. In some cases, the death penalty can be imposed.

Amount of money charged by the court when a case is started.