The term “irreconcilable differences” is a phrase used in family law as one of the grounds that can be cited for a no-fault divorce. Different states also use the terms incompatibility and irremediable or irretrievable breakdown....
family & personal matters
irremediable or irretrievable breakdown
Irremediable or irretrievable breakdown refers to a common formal ground for a no-fault divorce in many U.S. states. Modern courts almost never inquire into the merits of the underlying reasons for a request for the dissolution of a marriage...
joint custody
Joint custody is an arrangement between separated parents where each parent has a degree of control over, and a measure of responsibility for a child. Joint custody involves both physical custody and legal custody. Joint legal...
juvenile
In criminal law, a juvenile is an adolescent who is not old enough to take responsibility for a crime they are accused of, so they might not be seen in a traditional court, but by a juvenile court. A juvenile delinquent is an adolescent who...
juvenile court
A juvenile court is a court that handles cases involving crimes committed by children, or cases involving the health or welfare of children. Every state has a juvenile system in place. Juvenile courts and their subject matter jurisdiction are...
juvenile delinquent
A juvenile delinquent is a minor who is tried and found guilty of a crime in a juvenile court. Laws can vary, but minors are usually persons under 18 years of age. While minors are typically charged in juvenile court, some offenses are too...
juvenile justice
Juvenile justice is the area of criminal law applicable to persons not old enough to be held fully responsible for criminal acts. In most states, the age for adult criminal culpability is set at 18. In cases of extreme violence or other anti-...
kin
Kin is a blood relative. The term “kin” is ordinarily applied to relationships through ties of blood or consanguinity. However, it is sometimes used generally to include relatives by marriage or adoption. Kin is also called kindred, kinsman,...
kindred
Kindred is a synonym for kin.
[Last updated in April of 2022 by the Wex Definitions Team]
legal age
The legal age is also known as the age of legal majority. This is the age at which a person gains the legal status of an adult. The legal age is set by state law and can differ from state to state. However, almost all states set the base legal age as...