free, and yours to keep
The Drawer
Every paper you might need, gathered in one afternoon, and the court words in plain language.
what to gather
One drawer, everything in it
Tick things off as you find them. Your ticks stay only on this device.
For you
For the children
Home and money
Court and legal
plain words
Words you might hear
Nobody explains these the first time. Here they are, simply.
- Petitioner
- The person who started the case.
- Respondent
- The person the case was filed against.
- Served
- Being officially handed court papers. Deadlines usually start counting from this day.
- Summons
- A notice that a case has been filed and that a response is expected.
- Response
- A written reply to the case. It usually has a deadline.
- Default
- What can happen if someone doesn't respond in time. The court may decide without hearing from them.
- Hearing
- A scheduled time in front of a judge or magistrate. Often shorter than people expect.
- Magistrate
- An officer of the court who hears some family matters and makes recommendations to the judge.
- Mediation
- A meeting with a neutral person to try to reach an agreement without a trial.
- Parenting plan
- The written plan for how parents share time with the children and make decisions about them.
- Time-sharing
- The schedule of when the children are with each parent.
- Financial affidavit
- A sworn form listing your income, expenses and debts.
- Injunction for protection
- A court order telling someone to stay away and have no contact.
- Motion
- A written request asking the court to do something.
- Order
- A decision from the court. It must be followed until it's changed.
- Continuance
- Moving a court date to a later time.
- Pro se
- Representing yourself, without a lawyer.
This is general information, not legal advice. For your own situation, free legal help is listed here.