Glossary - Family Law
In Family Law
A family arbitration award is the decision that an arbitrator makes after hearing from both partners about their family law issues.
An arbitrator has to follow certain rules. For example, they have to keep a record of any notes they made during the arbitration. If these rules are followed, an arbitrator’s award is enforceable. This means that the court can make a court order based on the family arbitration award, and that both partners must follow the order.
In Family Law
The Family Responsibility Office (FRO) is a government agency that enforces child support and spousal support payments. They collect support directly from the person who has to pay support, keep a record of the amounts paid, and then pay that amount to the person who has to get support.
If your partner misses payments, the FRO can take action to enforce your court order or separation agreement on support payments. For example, the FRO can take money from their bank account, suspend their driver’s licence, or start a court case that can put them in jail.
In Abuse and Family Violence, Criminal Law, Family Law
Family violence refers to the many different forms of abuse, neglect, or harm that an adult or child may experience in their close, personal relationships.
It is also called domestic violence or partner abuse when one partner abuses the other partner.
In Family Law
Filing your court documents means giving your court forms and documents to a court clerk at the courthouse to add to your court file. Every court form you fill out and all relevant documents you want a judge to look at have to be filed in court.
In Family Law
A financial statement is a court form that has details about your income, expenses, assets, and debts. Usually, you and your partner each need to fill out a financial statement form if either of you are asking for a court order for one or all of the following:
- child support
- spousal support
- property division
