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 “John Doe alias” means...
marriage
alienation of affections
Alienation of affections is a mostly outdated law that allows a spouse to sue an individual that causes their other spouse to end their marriage. Separate from any divorce proceedings, the spouse bringing an alienation of affections suit must...
alimony
Alimony refers to the financial assistance and monetary support provided by one spouse to another after a marriage ends in divorce. Oftentimes, the receiving spouse must be unable to support themselves without the help of their ex-spouse....
alternative reproductive technology (ART)
Alternative reproductive technology (ART), also known as assisted reproductive technology, can be defined as an alternative to traditional reproduction, used by persons who are infertile. It is also a term that encompasses in vitro...
annulment
An annulment is a legal procedure that voids a marriage and declares it null from its inception. Unlike divorce, the effect of declaring a marriage void is retroactive, meaning that the marriage was void at the time it was entered into. It...
antenuptial agreement
An antenuptial agreement or a prenuptial agreement is an agreement made between parties before getting married, permitting them to individually retain certain assets during the marriage and after the marriage if divorce arises. If parties...
asset
An asset is something of value owned by an individual or organization. An asset can be physical property like a building or intangible property such as a patent. Assets are an important part of and differ in many areas of law.
...augmented estate
The augmented estate is the value of a decedent’s estate used when the surviving spouse chooses to take an elective share, rather than what was left by will. The Uniform Probate Code calculates the augmented estate as all real and personal...
bigamy
Bigamy is a marriage in which one of the parties is already legally married. Bigamy is the practice which involves having two spouses at the same time. The second marriage to someone who is already legally married is void and may be annulled...
breach of promise
Breach of promise, although not actionable in most jurisdictions, is a breach of a promise to marry another; in other words, it is a broken engagement. It is a tort against the breaching party. The principle of breach of promise treats the...