Plain-English Reference
Plain-English Legal Glossary
Understand every legal term before you file. No law degree required.
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Terms Defined
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Plain English
Bankruptcy Terms
25 terms — the concepts you need to understand before and during your bankruptcy case.
Automatic Stay
An instant legal shield that pauses all debt collection the moment you file.
Means Test
A simple income calculation that determines if you qualify for Chapter 7.
Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
The most common type of bankruptcy — it wipes out most debts in 4–6 months.
Chapter 13 Bankruptcy
A 3–5 year repayment plan that lets you catch up on bills while keeping your stuff.
Dischargeable Debt
Debt that can be legally wiped out through bankruptcy — completely erased.
Non-Dischargeable Debt
Debt that bankruptcy cannot erase — you'll still owe it after your case closes.
Bankruptcy Discharge
The official court order that wipes out your eligible debts — your fresh start.
Bankruptcy Petition
The official paperwork you file with the court to start your bankruptcy case.
Bankruptcy Trustee
The court-appointed official who reviews your case and manages your assets.
341 Meeting of Creditors
A short, informal meeting with the trustee — not a courtroom trial.
Bankruptcy Estate
All the property and assets that become part of your bankruptcy case when you file.
Bankruptcy Exemptions
The laws that protect your property — home, car, savings — from being taken in bankruptcy.
Homestead Exemption
Legal protection that shields the equity in your home during bankruptcy.
Reaffirmation Agreement
A voluntary promise to keep paying a specific debt — like your car loan — after bankruptcy.
Adversary Proceeding
A mini-lawsuit filed within your bankruptcy case to resolve a specific dispute.
Proof of Claim
The form a creditor files to formally claim they're owed money in your bankruptcy case.
Priority Debt
Debts that must be paid first in bankruptcy — like taxes and child support.
Secured Debt
Debt tied to a specific piece of property — if you stop paying, the lender can take it.
Unsecured Debt
Debt not tied to any property — like credit cards and medical bills — the easiest to discharge.
Credit Counseling
A required online course you must complete before filing bankruptcy — takes about 1 hour.
Debtor Education Course
A required financial management course you must finish after filing to get your discharge.
Liquidation
The process of selling non-exempt assets to pay creditors — rarely happens in consumer cases.
Reorganization Plan
A structured 3–5 year repayment schedule approved by the court in Chapter 13.
Stay of Proceedings
A court-ordered pause on lawsuits and legal actions against you — similar to the automatic stay.
Fresh Start
The new financial beginning bankruptcy gives you — zero debt, renewed credit, second chance.
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Start Your Bankruptcy IntakeDivorce Terms
37 terms — key concepts for understanding the divorce process, property division, custody, and support.
Dissolution of Marriage
The official legal process for ending a marriage — what most people call 'getting a divorce.'
Petition for Divorce
The official paperwork that starts the divorce process — filed with the family court.
Respondent
The spouse who receives the divorce petition — you don't have to agree to stop a divorce.
Petitioner
The spouse who files for divorce first — filing first is a neutral act, not an advantage.
Contested Divorce
A divorce where spouses disagree on at least one issue — more complex, takes longer.
Uncontested Divorce
A divorce where both spouses agree on everything — faster, cheaper, and less stressful.
No-Fault Divorce
A divorce where neither spouse has to prove wrongdoing — available in all 50 states.
Fault-Based Divorce
A divorce where one spouse claims the other's misconduct caused the marriage to end.
Legal Separation
A court-recognized split where you live apart but remain legally married.
Marital Property
Assets and debts you accumulated together during marriage — subject to division in divorce.
Separate Property
Assets you owned before marriage or received as gifts/inheritance — usually yours to keep.
Community Property
A 9-state system where most things earned during marriage are owned 50/50 by both spouses.
Equitable Distribution
The most common property-division system — fair, but not necessarily 50/50.
Alimony
Financial support paid from one ex-spouse to another after divorce — also called spousal support.
Spousal Support
Another term for alimony — financial payments from one ex-spouse to the other.
Child Custody
Who has legal and physical responsibility for your children after divorce.
Legal Custody
The right to make major decisions about your child's upbringing — school, healthcare, religion.
Physical Custody
Where your child primarily lives and who handles their daily care.
Joint Custody
Both parents share custody rights — the most common arrangement in modern divorce.
Sole Custody
One parent has primary custody rights — less common, typically when the other parent is unfit or absent.
Child Support
Court-ordered payments to help cover your child's expenses — calculated by state formula.
Parenting Plan
A detailed written agreement covering custody, visitation schedules, and co-parenting rules.
Marital Settlement Agreement
The written contract that settles everything in your divorce — property, support, and custody.
Temporary Orders
Court orders that govern your finances and family while the divorce is in progress.
Final Judgment of Dissolution
The court's official order ending your marriage — the finish line of the divorce process.
Fault Divorce
A divorce where one spouse claims the other's wrongdoing — adultery, cruelty, or abandonment — caused the marriage to fail.
Annulment
A court ruling that your marriage was never legally valid — treated as if it never happened.
Summons
The official court document notifying your spouse that a divorce case has been filed.
Discovery
The formal process of gathering financial documents and information from both sides.
Deposition
A formal, sworn question-and-answer session where your answers become part of the legal record.
Mediation
A structured negotiation with a neutral third party to help both spouses reach agreement without trial.
Collaborative Divorce
A team-based process where both spouses commit in writing to resolving everything outside of court.
Visitation Rights
The schedule and rules that define when a non-custodial parent spends time with their child.
Divorce Decree
The official court order that legally ends your marriage and spells out all final terms.
Divorce Petition
The official document you file with the court to start the divorce process.
Summons (Divorce)
The official notice delivered to your spouse that a divorce case has been filed against them.
Settlement Agreement
The written contract that resolves all divorce issues between spouses — without a court trial.
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Start Your Divorce Intake →Name Change Terms
50 terms — everything you need to understand the name change process, from court petition to final document updates.
Legal Name Change
The court-ordered process to officially change your name on all government records.
Petition for Name Change
The official document you file with the court to start the name change process.
Court Order (Name Change)
The judge's signed decision approving your name change — your most important document.
Publication Requirement
Some states require you to announce your name change in a newspaper before it's finalized.
Name Change Decree
The official court document that legally authorizes and confirms your name change.
Certified Copy
An official stamped copy of your court order — required to update government IDs.
Social Security Name Change
Updating your name with the SSA — the first step after getting your court order.
Driver's License Name Change
Updating your state driver's license or ID card after a legal name change.
Passport Name Change
Updating your U.S. passport to reflect your new legal name after a name change.
Birth Certificate Amendment
Updating the name on your birth certificate with the state vital records office.
Gender Marker Change
A legal process to update the gender designation on your government documents.
Name Change After Marriage
Updating your legal name following a marriage using your marriage certificate.
Name Change After Divorce
Restoring your former name through your divorce decree — no separate court petition needed.
Former Name
The legal name you held before your name change — also called your birth name or previous name.
Chosen Name
The new name you select as part of your legal name change proceeding.
Name Change Affidavit
A sworn written statement used to notify agencies of your name change.
Minor Name Change
The legal process for changing a child's name — requires parental consent or court approval.
Name Change Hearing
The brief court appearance where a judge reviews your petition and approves the name change.
Objection Period
The window after publication during which third parties can formally oppose your name change.
Fee Waiver (Name Change)
A court exemption from filing fees for low-income petitioners seeking a name change.
State Vital Records
The government office for birth certificates, death records, and marriage certificates.
DMV Name Update
Notifying the DMV of your legal name change to update your driver's license or state ID.
Employer Notification (Name Change)
Informing your employer and updating HR, payroll, and benefits records after a name change.
Bank Name Update
Updating your financial accounts and bank records after a legal name change.
Name Change Checklist
A comprehensive list of every agency and account that needs to be updated after a name change.
Order Granting Name Change
The court's signed approval that makes your new name official under the law.
Legal Name
Your official name as recognized by the government — the one on all your IDs.
Marriage Certificate Name Change
Using your marriage certificate — not a court order — to change your name after getting married.
Divorce Decree Name Change
Restoring your former name using your divorce decree — no separate court petition needed.
Affidavit of Name Change
A sworn written statement used to notify certain institutions of your legal name change.
Name Change Certificate
The certified court document confirming your name change — used to update official records.
Notice of Hearing
The court document setting your name change hearing date and notifying interested parties.
Civil Court Filing
Where you file your name change — the civil division of your local county or district court.
Filing Fee
The court fee you pay when submitting your name change petition — varies by state and county.
Fee Waiver
A court-approved exemption from filing fees for petitioners who can't afford to pay.
Adult Name Change
The standard court process for any person 18 or older to legally change their name.
State Name Change Requirements
The rules vary by state — residency, fees, publication, and forms differ where you live.
Certified Copy
The official stamped copy of your court order that agencies require to update your records.
Background Check Name Change
What to know if you have a criminal history and want to legally change your name.
Proof of Identity
The documents the court requires to verify who you are when filing a name change petition.
Notarization
Having a notary verify your identity and witness your signature on name change documents.
Petition for Name Change
The official document you file with the court to kick off your name change.
DMV Name Change
How to update your driver's license or state ID after your legal name change.
Name Change Timeline
How long the name change process takes — and what happens at each stage.
Name Change Cost
What you can expect to pay when legally changing your name — and how to reduce costs.
Name Change Without Marriage
You don't have to be getting married or divorced to change your name — here's how.
Legal Name vs. Preferred Name
The difference between the name on your ID and the name you actually go by.
Name Change for Transgender Individuals
A step-by-step guide to legally changing your name as part of gender affirmation.
Name Change Notification
The process of telling banks, employers, and agencies about your new legal name.
Residency Requirement
How long you must live in a county or state before you can file for a name change there.
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Start Your Name Change Intake →Important Disclaimer
JustiPal™ is a document preparation service, not a law firm. The definitions in this glossary are provided for general educational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. Every bankruptcy case is unique. For advice about your specific situation, consult a licensed bankruptcy attorney.