An order from a judge that directs a party to come to court and convince the judge why she shouldn't grant an action proposed by the other side or by the judge ... (more...)
An order from a judge that directs a party to come to court and convince the judge why she shouldn't grant an action proposed by the other side or by the judge on her own (sua sponte). For example, in a divorce, at the request of one parent a judge might issue an order directing the other parent to appear in court on a particular date and time to show cause why the first parent should not be given sole physical custody of the children. Although it would seem that the person receiving an order to show cause is at a procedural disadvantage--she, after all, is the one who is told to come up with a convincing reason why the judge shouldn't order something--both sides normally have an equal chance to convince the judge to rule in their favor.
PETITIONER
A person who initiates a lawsuit. A synonym for plaintiff, used almost universally in some states and in others for certain types of lawsuits, most commonly div... (more...)
A person who initiates a lawsuit. A synonym for plaintiff, used almost universally in some states and in others for certain types of lawsuits, most commonly divorce and other family law cases.
PHYSICAL CUSTODY
The right and obligation of a parent to have his child live with him. Compare legal custody.
PETITION (IMMIGRATION)
A formal request for a green card or a specific nonimmigrant (temporary) visa. In many cases, the petition must be filed by someone sponsoring the immigrant, su... (more...)
A formal request for a green card or a specific nonimmigrant (temporary) visa. In many cases, the petition must be filed by someone sponsoring the immigrant, such as a family member or employer. After the petition is approved, the immigrant may submit the actual visa or green card application.
ACCOMPANYING RELATIVE
An immediate family member of someone who immigrates to the United States. In most cases, a person who is eligible to receive some type of visa or green card ca... (more...)
An immediate family member of someone who immigrates to the United States. In most cases, a person who is eligible to receive some type of visa or green card can also obtain green cards or similar visas for accompanying relatives. Accompanying relatives include spouses and unmarried children under the age of 21.
GROUNDS FOR DIVORCE
Legal reasons for requesting a divorce. All states require a spouse who files for divorce to state the grounds, court and whether requesting a fault divorce or ... (more...)
Legal reasons for requesting a divorce. All states require a spouse who files for divorce to state the grounds, court and whether requesting a fault divorce or a no-fault divorce.
DISSOLUTION
A term used instead of divorce in some states.
PHYSICAL INCAPACITY
The inability of a spouse to engage in sexual intercourse with the other spouse. In some states, physical incapacity is a ground for an annulment or fault divor... (more...)
The inability of a spouse to engage in sexual intercourse with the other spouse. In some states, physical incapacity is a ground for an annulment or fault divorce, assuming the incapacity was not disclosed to the other spouse before the marriage.
... It says that a parent who is more than $10,000 in arrears in payment of child support may not
petition to modify a judgment of custody or visitation without posting a bond in the amount of the
arrearage, or the legal fees of the custodial parent, whichever is greater, before filing the ...
... with the children. She asked the court to enter an award of joint legal and physical
custody [2] as to both children and to order both women to pay reasonable child support. ...
VI. Contractual Assumption of Child Support. We next address ...
... David Alan Crow ("Father") appeals the judgment refusing to modify the amount of his child support
obligation to Judy Lynette Crow ("Mother"). We dismiss the appeal. I. BACKGROUND. ... 14. Rule
88.01 sets forth a two-step procedure for calculating child support. ...