Adopted Child – A child of a parent-child relationship created by judicial order between two parties who usually are unrelated. This is accomplished only after a determination that the child is an orphan or has been abandoned, or that the parents’ parental rights have been terminated by court order. ▲

Adultery – When one spouse has sexual intercourse with a third party. ▲

Conciliation – Conciliation Counseling is offered by the Superior Court under the authority of Arizona law (ARS§ 25-381) for those spouses who are considering or who are in the process of divorce. The focus of this brief counseling is to assist spouses in making an informed and thoughtful decision regarding their marital relationship. ▲

Decree of Legal Separation – A court written agreement directing or authorizing spouses to live separate and apart. The judge signs it. A decree of separation does not dissolve the marriage or allow the parties to remarry, but may resolve financial claims. A legal separation may be as complicated and expensive as a divorce. ▲

Dissolution of Marriage – A court process to dissolve or end a legal marriage. The legal end of a marriage. ▲

Domestic Violence – A disturbance, usually at a residence and usually within a family, involving violence and often resulting in a call to a law-enforcement agency. ▲
ARS 13-3601

Domicile – A place of permanent residence, either of an individual or a family. ▲

Emotional Abuse – Intentionally or recklessly causing another person severe emotional distress through one’s extreme or outrageous acts. ▲

Establish Paternity – A court process to determine the identity of the father of a child born outside of marriage. The mother, father or the State can bring these cases. The judge can order a sophisticated blood test to determine DNA. Once the identity of the father has been determined, the judge then hears issues of child support, child custody and child visitation. ▲

Felony – An offense for which a sentence to a term of imprisonment in the custody of the state department of corrections is authorized by any law of this state. ▲
ARS 13-105

Jurisdiction – The power or authority of a court to rule in a particular case. A court must have jurisdiction over both the subject matter of the case, and the people involved in the dispute, in order to have the authority to hear a case and make binding decisions. ▲

Legal Separation – A court judgment or written agreement directing or authorizing spouses to live separate and apart. A decree of separation does not dissolve the marriage or allow the parties to remarry, but may resolve financial claims. A legal separation may be as complicated and expensive as a divorce. ▲

Marital Home – A place of permanent residence of the married couple. ▲

Mentally Disabled – A disability in thought or mood so substantial that it impairs judgment, behavior, perceptions of reality, or the ability to cope with ordinary demands of life. A disability severe enough to necessitate care and treatment for the afflicted person’s own welfare or the welfare of others in the community. ▲

Natural Child – A child by birth, as distinguished from an adopted child. A child that is genetically related to the mother and father. ▲

Paternity – Fatherhood: legal father for a child. ▲

Petition for Dissolution of Marriage – A document that is filed with the court that starts the legal end of a marriage. ▲

Physical Abuse – Any physical act that is a dangerous crime committed where the relationship between the victim and the defendant is one of marriage. ▲
ARS 13-3601

Physically Disabled – A disability caused by a physical defect or infirmity or by bodily imperfection or mental weakness. ▲

Reconciliation – Voluntary resumption, after a separation, of full marital relations between spouses. The court to dismiss the divorce petition. ▲

Service – The act of delivering to or informing someone of a writ, summons, or other notice as prescribed by law. ▲

Sexual Abuse – Any sexual act that is a dangerous crime committed where the relationship between the victim and the defendant is one of marriage. ▲
ARS 13-3601