Definition: Failure of a parent to maintain contact, provide support, or show intent to parent.
Family Law Master Index
Family Law Master Index
Comprehensive bilingual terminology for custody, divorce, child welfare, and domestic relations.
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A
Abandonment (Parental)
Abandono parental
Abduction (Child)
Sustracción de menores / Secuestro de menores
Definition: Taking or retaining a child without legal right.
Adjudication of Paternity
Determinación judicial de paternidad
Definition: Court order legally establishing a child’s father.
Adoption Petition
Petición de adopción
Definition: Legal request to create a permanent parent-child relationship.
Alimony / Spousal Support
Manutención conyugal / Pensión alimenticia
Definition: Court-ordered payments from one spouse to another after dissolution of marriage.
Annulment
Anulación del matrimonio
Definition: Declaration that a marriage is void due to fraud, incapacity, or legal defect.
B
Best Interests of the Child
Interés superior del menor
Definition: Legal standard guiding decisions on custody, visitation, and welfare.
Battered Spouse Syndrome
Síndrome de cónyuge maltratado/a
Definition: Psychological condition of a victim experiencing ongoing domestic abuse.
C
Child Custody Order
Orden de custodia de menores
Definition: Court decree outlining legal and physical custody arrangement.
Child Support Arrears
Atrasos de manutención infantil
Definition: Unpaid, accumulated child support debt.
Co-Parenting Plan
Plan de crianza compartida
Definition: Written schedule outlining parenting responsibilities and time-sharing.
Community Property
Bienes gananciales / Comunidad de bienes
Definition: Property acquired during marriage jointly owned by both spouses.
D
De Facto Parent
Padre/madre de facto
Definition: Person who has acted as a child's parent without legal adoption.
Decree of Dissolution of Marriage
Decreto de disolución matrimonial
Definition: Official court order ending a marriage (final step in divorce).
Domestic Violence Restraining Order (DVRO)
Orden de restricción por violencia doméstica
Definition: Protective court order limiting contact due to abuse or threats.
E
Emancipation of a Minor
Emancipación de un menor
Definition: Court-ordered release of a minor from parental control.
Emergency Custody Motion
Moción de custodia de emergencia
Definition: Request for immediate custody change due to danger to child.
G
Garnishment (Child Support / Alimony)
Embargo de salario
Definition: Court-ordered deduction from wages to satisfy support obligations.
Guardian Ad Litem (GAL)
Tutor ad litem / Guardián ad litem
Definition: Court-appointed advocate representing the best interests of a child.
H
Hague Convention Case
Caso bajo el Convenio de La Haya
Definition: International proceeding for the return of a child wrongfully removed across borders.
I
Imputed Income (Child Support)
Ingreso imputado
Definition: Income assigned by the court when a parent is voluntarily unemployed.
In Loco Parentis
En lugar de los padres
Definition: Legal doctrine granting parental rights to someone acting as a parent.
J
Joint Custody
Custodia compartida
Definition: Both parents share decision-making (legal) or physical custody.
K
Kinship Care Provider
Proveedor de cuidado de parentesco
Definition: Relative caring for a child temporarily or permanently.
L
Legal Custody
Custodia legal
Definition: Authority to make major decisions about child’s welfare (education, health, religion).
M
Mediation (Family Court)
Mediación (tribunal de familia)
Definition: Confidential process where a neutral mediator helps parents resolve disputes.
N
Neglect (Child Welfare Law)
Negligencia (bienestar infantil)
Definition: Failure by a caregiver to provide basic needs such as food or medical care.
O
Order of Protection (OOP)
Orden de protección
Definition: Court order protecting a person from threats, harassment, or abuse.
P
Parenting Plan
Plan de crianza
Definition: Detailed schedule outlining custody, visitation, and decision-making.
Q
Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO)
Orden calificada de relaciones domésticas (QDRO)
Definition: Court order dividing retirement plan benefits in divorce.
R
Reunification Services
Servicios de reunificación
Definition: Programs designed to help parents regain custody after removal.
S
Supervised Visitation
Visitas supervisadas
Definition: Court-ordered parenting time monitored by a neutral third party.
T
Termination of Parental Rights (TPR)
Terminación de derechos parentales (TPR)
Definition: Permanent legal severance of parental rights (required before adoption).
U
Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA)
Ley Uniforme de Jurisdicción y Cumplimiento de Custodia de Menores (UCCJEA)
Definition: Law determining which state has jurisdiction in custody cases.
V
Voluntary Relinquishment
Renuncia voluntaria de derechos parentales
Definition: Parent agrees to surrender parental rights, usually for adoption.
W
Ward of the State
Pupilo del estado
Definition: Child placed under legal custody of the government.
Z
Zone of Safety Analysis
Análisis de zona de seguridad
Definition: Evaluation of whether a child’s environment is physically and emotionally safe.