Welcome to the Glossary page for The Law Office of Anthony Griego LLC. Navigating the legal system can often be challenging, especially when dealing with unfamiliar terms and concepts. To help make things easier, we’ve compiled a glossary of commonly used legal terms related to family law, criminal defense, and estate planning. This resource provides clear, concise definitions so you feel more informed and empowered throughout your legal journey. If you have further questions or need assistance, our team is here to provide support every step of the way. Please feel free to give us a call at 505-417-2729!

Alimony

• Alimony is financial support that one spouse may be required to pay to the other after a divorce. It is intended to help the receiving spouse maintain a standard of living similar to what they were accustomed to during the marriage.

Child Custody

• Refers to the legal right and responsibility to care for and make decisions about a child’s upbringing. Custody can be physical, meaning where the child lives, or legal, meaning who makes major decisions regarding the child’s life (e.g., education, medical care).

Child Support

• Child support is comprised of financial payments made by the non-custodial parent to the custodial parent to help cover the child's living expenses. Child support amounts are generally determined based on state guidelines and the parent’s income.

Contested Divorce

• A divorce in which the spouses disagree on one or more issues, such as property division, child custody, or support. Contested divorces typically require court intervention to resolve the disputes.

Criminal Defense

• Legal representation is provided to individuals charged with criminal offenses. Criminal defense attorneys work to protect their client’s rights, challenge evidence, and negotiate for reduced charges or acquittal when possible.

Decree of Divorce

• A court's final order officially ends a marriage. This document outlines the divorce terms, including asset division, custody arrangements, support obligations, and other related matters.

Grandparent Visitation Rights

• There are legal rights allowing grandparents to seek visitation with their grandchildren under certain circumstances, such as when one parent is deceased or divorced or if visitation is deemed in the child’s best interest.

Joint Custody

• A custody arrangement where both parents share decision-making responsibilities and physical time with the child. Joint custody can be joint legal custody (shared decision-making) and joint physical custody (shared parenting time).

Marital Property

• All property and assets acquired by either spouse during the marriage. Marital property is generally subject to division in a divorce, while separate property owned before marriage or received as a gift or inheritance is typically exempt.

Order of Protection

• A court-issued order protects individuals from harassment, abuse, or threats by restricting or limiting the offender’s actions. They are commonly used in cases involving domestic violence or harassment.

Parenting Plan

• A detailed agreement is created as part of a custody arrangement, outlining how the parents will share responsibilities and time with the child. It includes schedules for visitation, holidays, and other logistics for co-parenting.

Physical Custody

• Refers to the parent with whom the child primarily resides. Physical custody can be shared or granted mainly by one parent, with the other receiving scheduled visitation.

Prenuptial Agreement

• A legal agreement made before marriage outlines how assets and debts will be divided if the marriage ends in divorce. This agreement helps clarify financial matters and protect individual assets.

Sole Custody

• A custody arrangement where one parent has exclusive rights to make decisions for the child or is granted full physical custody. The other parent may still receive visitation rights unless restricted by the court.

Spousal Support (or Maintenance)

• Another term for alimony is financial assistance provided by one spouse to the other after a divorce. The purpose is to support the lower-earning spouse, allowing them to maintain a similar lifestyle post-marriage.

Uncontested Divorce

• A divorce in which both spouses agree on all terms, including property division, custody, and support arrangements. Uncontested divorces are generally quicker and less costly, as they don’t require court intervention.

Will

• A legal document outlining an individual’s wishes regarding the distribution of their property and care of minor children after death. Wills help ensure that assets are passed according to the deceased’s desires.

Disclaimer:

The content provided here is for general informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute legal advice. Laws and regulations are complex, frequently subject to change, and may vary depending on jurisdiction. As such, readers should not act upon or rely on any information presented here without first consulting with a qualified and licensed attorney who can address and tailor guidance to your unique legal circumstances.