Does it seem like lawyers speak a different language when discussing legal matters? This month, we’re providing clarity on family law abbreviations that we think all people should know, whether they’re considering divorce or just want to be more informed!
General Legal & Court Abbreviations
Family law abbreviations you should know regarding all cases.
Abbreviation
Meaning
OP
Opposing Party (aka your ex)
OC
Opposing Counsel (aka their attorney)
MGL
Massachusetts General Laws
Court & Case Types
Family law abbreviations to better understand the court type, case type, and common orders handed down in court.
Abbreviation
Meaning
Prob. Ct.
Probate and Family Court
DOR
Department of Revenue, which is in charge of child support enforcement
RO
Restraining Order
209A
This is a case type, specifically an Abuse Prevention Order from Massachusetts General Laws (MGL), and allows survivors to ask for a court order to protect them from contact with an abusive family or household member. This is also frequently referred to as a Restraining Order or “RO.” If a 209A is violated, it can carry criminal consequences for the perpetrator.
258E
This is a Harassment Prevention Order, and is another type of protection against someone who is accused of harassing, stalking or sexually assaulting another before a court date is had.
MOD
Modification – This only applies to an existing order, and can be for a variety of things. For example, it can be used when a party wants to re-evaluate their child support when college expenses come up years after a divorce is granted.
410s
Mandatory financial discovery documents that must be exchanged in a divorce case
PFA
This stands for Protection From Abuse, and is an informal term often used for 209A restraining orders
1A
Uncontested Divorce filing, meaning both parties are in agreement on division of assets, child support/custody and the divorce will not be disputed
1B
Contested Divorce filing, meaning one party is unsatisfied with the division, child support/custody arraignment given by the other party, and would like to negotiate different terms.
(Have you read our Signs of Abuse blog post? Not all signs of abuse are physical or immediately apparent.) If you think you may be suffering from abuse, we encourage you to call 1.800.799.SAFE (7233) to put a safety plan in place and extricate yourself before you call us.
Hearing & motion Terms
Family law abbreviation related to emergency hearings and motions.
Abbreviation
Meaning
Ex Parte
This is a motion made by one party to the court without the other party present. It’s most often used for emergency situations such as restraining orders (see 209A above), and is an exception to the general rule that both parties need to be present during court proceedings for an order to be issued.
Support & Custody Terms
Family law abbreviations related to children and custody.
Abbreviation
Meaning
CS
Child Support
CSG
Child Support Guidelines
CSGW
Child Support Guidelines Worksheet, which is a way to understand and calculate child expenses based on your and your ex partner’s income.
GAL
You may recognize this one, as we’ve talked about it before! This stands for Guardian Ad Litem, and is a third party (typically a family law attorney or mental health professional) appointed by the court to investigate and make recommendations for the best interest of the children.
PC
This stands for Parent Coordinator, and their job is to be a supportive and neutral third party to help parents resolve child custody and parenting plan disputes. This could be a social worker, attorney or someone who has a background in mental health, and is also appointed by the court, or in some cases, agreed upon by the parents. PCs can be designated to have decision-making authority that can be reviewed in court if a party files a Complaint for Modification.
Attorney Representing the Child(ren) – A volunteer attorney appointed by the court to represent the child(ren)‘s position in all court hearings.
Division of the Marital Estate Terms
Family law abbreviations related to dividing the marital estate (assets and debts).
Abbreviation
Meaning
QDRO
This stands for Qualified Domestic Relations Order in a divorce case. If a party is awarded a portion of their ex’s retirement assets, a QDRO needs to be prepared by a specialist and approved by the court to avoid taxes/penalties for transferring those funds prior to retirement age.
RSUs
Restricted Stock Units, or a form of equity provided to an employee by their company, which can be used to cash out at a later date. RSUs are a complicated thing to divide as they are future assets that can’t be truly calculated until the date they are cashed, and can cause issues during divorce.
And if there are any additional legal lingo that you need help decoding, we encourage you to book a consultation with us! We pride ourselves on transparency and want to make sure you fully understand each stage of the divorce process.
Top Ten Ways to Reduce Your Legal Fees in Family Law Cases
Not ready to chat with us? The guide is a great place to start. Enter your name and email below to download the guide instantly. You'll also receive occasional email updates.
