divorce

Ab initio is a Latin term that means "from the beginning” or “from inception.” Ab initio is used to indicate that some fact existed from the start of a relevant time period. It is often used as part of the phrase “void ab initio,” meaning something (such as a marriage) was void from the beginning.

Abandon refers to the act of abandonment. A party can “abandon” in multiple fields of law and abandoning generally, though not always, involves voluntarily giving up a right.

See abandonment for more information. 

[Last reviewed in June of 2022 by the Wex Definitions Team]

Abandonment is a term that generally refers to a voluntary parting or the discarding of an object with no intent to return or reclaim the item. However, it varies in application across different areas of the law.

Absolute is used commonly in property law and in divorce law meaning final or without limitations.

Abuse is an action that intentionally causes harm or injures another person. This can refer to physical abuse, psychological abuse, mental abuse, or child abuse (see below). 

Abuse is also to misuse something—e.g., abuse of process. 

Access is the right to use, communicate, or approach something or someone. Some common usages of the term “access” in a legal sense include:  

Adultery is a form of extramarital sexual intercourse between a married person and a person who is not a party to the marriage. In a fault divorce, adultery is one of the grounds for divorce.

Alias derives from the term “alias dictus,” which means “otherwise called.” An alias is a pseudonym, nickname, or alternative name for an individual (alternative to their legal name). The expression “John Doe, alias” or “Jane Doe, alias” means an unknown person.  

[Last reviewed in February of 2025 by the Wex Definitions Team]

Alienation of affection is a mostly outdated law that allows a spouse to sue an individual that causes their other spouse to end their marriage.

Alimony refers to the financial assistance and monetary support provided by one spouse to another after a marriage ends in