Glossary

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Family Law Mediation: Family Law Mediaiton, Divorce Mediation and Custody Mediation are a way to resolve your divorce or custody dispute which lets you keep full control of the outcome. The only people making decisions are those involved in the dispute, unlike arbitration or litigation where a judge or an arbitrator makes the final decision.

Family Law Mediation Attorneys: This term may refer to family law attorneys who act as mediators and who have specialized mediation training, or family law attorneys who represent premarital agreement clients whose cases are in mediation with a 3rd party mediator. Sometimes these are referred to as mediation friendly attorneys, meaning that while the attorney may handle litigation cases, he or she also understands the value of settlement and mediation.

Forensic Accountant: A CPA with specialized training to determine the value of assets and income. For example, you might use a forensic accountant trained in business valuation to put a value on your family business before you get married so that you can make a full disclosure to your fiance before you sign your premarital agreement.

Financial Marriage: As much as people who get married rarely see marriage as a financial contract, certainly according to the laws of each state a marriage is a financial contract. Married couples have a legal duty to support one another, and may have automatic joint liability for things like medical bills and shelter.