Family Law

The agency in Arizona responsible for overseeing the IV-D and public assistance programs and to coordinate their activities.

Federal agency which includes the Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE).

A relationship in which one depends on another for support in whole or in part.

Someone who gives a deposition.

Testimony taken orally or in writing outside of a courtroom by question and answer under oath. It may be read in court and may be admitted by the judge as evidence.

The procedures available to a person to a lawsuit to learn relevant facts which are known to other entities or witnesses, in order to enable the person to prepare for trial.

To close out a case without granting the relief sought in the complaint; a case may be dismissed by the people or by the court.

In TANF cases, the amount of child support, up to $50, actually paid by the obligor and disbursed to the aid recipient in addition to the monthly TANF grant. Termed "disregard" because it is not considered by IV-A to determine TANF eligibility.

The term used in Arizona Law for divorce.

Split the day or weekend (not necessarily equally) between both parents.

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.