Absolute Divorce: In North Carolina a Divorce is an absolute divorce which breaks all marital ties and releases both parties from all the obligations and responsibilities of marriage.
Adultery: The act of one spouse engaging in intercourse with a partner other than their spouse.
Alimony: The payment for the support and maintenance of a spouse, either in a lump sum or on a continuing basis, based on several qualifying factors. Related terms, spousal support, post separation support.
Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR): One of a number of out of court dispute resolution methods which are often less adversarial than trial. Typically Mediation or Arbitration is used in Family Law cases.
Arrearage: A past due amount of child support, spousal support, or alimony.