family law

Definition

An abbreviation for qualified medical child support order. See qualified medical child support order.

Definition

The condition or practice of having more than one spouse at the same time. Polygamy as a crime originated in the common law, and it is now outlawed in every state. As a crime, polygamy is often synonymous with bigamy (marrying one spouse while already being married to another).

Definition

See kin.

Definition

A relative, in particular, a blood relative. Also a relative by marriage or adoption. Also called kindred, kinsman, and kinswoman. 

Illustrative caselaw

See, e.g. Piper Aircraft Co. v. Reyno, 454 U.S. 235 (1981).

See also

• Estates and trusts

• Family law statutes

Definition

1) In terms of copyright, access refers to the ability of a potential infringer to see or obtain the copyrighted material. Access is important in determining whether a potential infringer has in fact illicitly copied the copyrighted material. If the potential infringer has had no access to the copyrighted material, he can make a strong argument that he could not have copied the copyrighted material, and that any similarities between the allegedly infringing work and the copyrighted work are mere coincidences.

Definition

1) Abuse, generally: physically, sexually, or mentally injuring a person.

2) Child abuse: physically, sexually, or mentally injuring a child either with intent or through neglect.

3) Substance abuse: excessively using or misusing a legal or illegal substance.

4) In bankruptcy: filing under chapter 7 by a debtor whose monthly, disposable income exceeds $10,950 or 25% of his or her non-priority unsecured debt (if at least $6,575) for a five-year period is presumptively abusive, requiring dismissal or conversion to chapter 13.

Definition

1) Divorce: abandonment is grounds for divorce in most states.  Grounds arise when one spouse physically leaves the other with no intent on returning.  Usually, the minimum time allowed to claim abandonment is one year, but it changes from state to state.  Some states also recognize constructive abandonment where one spouse refuses to financially support the other and/or engage in sexual intercourse without good reason.

See also

• Abandon

Definition

Definition

1) Property: Used in property law to describe an estate that is free from any limitations at all.  Only a fee simple may be absolute.

2) Divorce: An absolute divorce is a final judgment of divorce that dissolves the marriage and allows both parties to remarry.  It severs all spousal rights-- parties may no longer inherit from one another and all survivorship rights in property are considered as held jointy in common.