Legal Terminology Glossary

A court order that legally requires someone to stay away from you.

An immediate short-term protection order issued by police at the scene.

A short-term court order for protection, usually lasting 2–3 weeks until a full hearing.

A court order prohibiting any contact between two people.

The right to make major decisions about your child's life (school, medical, religion).

Where the child actually lives and who provides day-to-day care.

One parent has full decision-making authority and/or the child lives primarily with them.

Both parents share decision-making and/or parenting time.

A written agreement or court order detailing how parents will share time and responsibilities.

The scheduled time a non-custodial parent spends with the child.

Parenting time that must occur in the presence of a neutral third party.

A court-appointed advocate who represents the child's best interests.

A professional assessment by a psychologist or social worker to help the court decide custody.

The legal standard courts use to make all custody decisions.

A formal written request filed with the court asking for a specific legal action.

A written statement of facts you submit to the court, signed under penalty of perjury.

The person who is served with and must respond to a legal petition.

The legal process of gathering evidence and information from the other party before trial.

A court order requiring a person or organization to provide documents or testimony.

A process where a neutral third party helps both sides reach an agreement without going to court.

A pattern of behavior used to dominate, isolate, and control a partner.

A pattern of abusive behavior used by one partner to gain or maintain power and control over another.

A form of manipulation that makes you doubt your own memory, perception, and sanity.

Deny, Attack, Reverse Victim and Offender — a common abuser response pattern.

Using money and financial resources to control, exploit, or harm a partner.

A tool used to evaluate the risk of serious injury or death in a domestic violence situation.

A personalized plan to help you stay safe in an abusive situation or when leaving.

A trained professional who provides support, information, and help navigating the legal system.

Free or low-cost legal services for people who cannot afford an attorney.

A co-parenting approach that minimizes direct contact between parents who cannot cooperate.

A strategy of becoming emotionally unresponsive to reduce an abuser's interest in you.