CourtHelp Legal Glossary

1. What is being argued in a lawsuit. 2. To send out officially, like when a court sends out an order. 3. Relatives from the same ancestor, including adopted children.

A child support case where a custodial parent and child(ren) get public assistance benefits under the state's IV-A program. The IV-A program is funded under title IV-A of the Social Security Act. Applicants for IV-A assistance are sent to their state IV-D agency so so they can identify and locate the noncustodial parent, prove paternity and/or a child support order, and/or get child support payments. This lets the state get back some or all of its public assistance money from the noncustodial parent. 

Is title IV-D of the Social Security Act, that says that each state must create a program to find noncustodial parents, prove paternity, establish and enforce child support obligations, and collect and distribute support payments. Any person that gets public assistance (usually TANF) is sent to the state IV-D child support program. States must also accept applications from families that do not get public assistance, if requested, to help collect child support.

Refers to title IV-E of the Social Security Act, which established a federal-state foster care program that gives financial support to a person, family, or institution that is raising a child or children not their own.

A child support case where the state pays benefits or services under title IV-E of the Social Security Act to a person, family, or institution that is raising child(ren) not their own. As with other public assistance cases, the people that get public assistance are sent to their state IV-D program in order to identify and find the noncustodial parent, prove paternity and/or a child support order, and/or obtain child support payments. This allows the state to get back some or all of its public assistance payments from the noncustodial parent. See also IV-D.

A place where people are held after arrest.

The risk of conviction and punishment at a trial.

Bringing together parties or claims in a case. For example, when new people become parties in a case, or new claims are added.

The sharing of responsibilities for the care of a child by both parents.

A court order that lets either or both parents to make decisions about a child’s health, education, and well-being.

A court order that says that a child is to spend about the same amount of time living with each parent.

When two or more cases that have the same facts or issues of law are tried together. Even when they are heard together, the cases and judgments remain separate.

A person with authority to decide legal matters in court.

1. The final decision of the Judge saying which party has won the case and the terms of the decision. 2. The order of a court that decides a dispute. 3. The official written outcome or finding of a Judge or administrative agency hearing officer about the rights and claims of someone in an action.

The party (either the plaintiff or the defendant) who has won money in a court case.

The party who has lost a case and must pay money.

After a Judge has made a decision, the request to the clerk for a judgment with a list of fees to be repaid and copies of the papers and receipts. On an appeal, the judgment roll is the collection of papers filed by the Clerk when a judgment is entered. It includes every part of the case, like the summons and motion papers.

1. Legal. 2. Having to do with court or a judgment.

The state is divided into geographical areas called judicial districts. New York State has 13 judicial districts. In Federal Court these geographical areas are called judicial circuits

Also called a JHO. A retired Judge who still hears and decides cases.

Judges, referees, and commissioners who can make decisions.

In Surrogate’s Court. A court proceeding where the Judge reviews and approves the account filed by the fiduciary (responsible manager) of an estate.

When a child is given to an authorized agency for adoption. This must be sworn to in front of a Judge of Family or Surrogate’s Court.

Latin: “To swear.” The statement at the end of an affidavit saying when, where and before whom (who saw) the affidavit was sworn to.

1. The authority of a court to hear and decide a case. 2. The geographic area the court has authority over to decide cases. 3. The area, subject matter, or persons a court has power over.