An adult neutral party is an impartial third-party. They have no financial, official, or personal interest in a controversy, dispute, or issue.
An affidavit is a notarized written statement made to the court swearing that the information contained in the filed papers is true.
An appeal is a written request asking a higher court to look at the decision of the judge and change that judge’s decision.
Unpaid or overdue child support or alimony payments.
The section at the top of court papers that lists the names of the parties in the case. If you were the plaintiff or defendant in the original case, you keep that title in all future filings.
A written statement submitted to the court swearing that the information you’ve provided is true. It does not need to be notarized.
The person, business, or organization against whom a case is filed.
Documents or evidence you submit to the court to support your motion or case.
The CIS tells the court your past financial status as well as your current status. If you are filing an FM motion and asking for any type of monetary relief such as an increase or decrease in support, you must complete and file a copy of the last CIS submitted to the court and complete a new and current CIS.
To submit forms and fees to the court to officially start or continue your case.
The JEDS system is an electronic filing system for self-represented litigants for submitting documents to the court. Attorneys can only use the JEDS system in cases not managed through eCourts.
A written request asking the court to:
- Issue a new order,
- Change an existing order,
- Enforce a current order, or
- Take some other action in your case.
A signed paper from a judge that requires someone to do (or stop doing) something.
Any person, business, or government agency involved in a court case.
The person or entity who starts a lawsuit by filing the complaint.
A pleading is a formal written statement of the respective parties of their claim or response to a claim.
A Latin term meaning “for oneself.” It refers to someone who represents themselves in court without a lawyer.
A process server is a person (for example, a sheriff or deputy), who serves writs, subpoenas, etc.
A term meaning to ask the court for something, such as custody, child support, or another specific order.
Service refers to the delivery of a writ, summons, or other legal papers to the person required to respond to them.
A substantial change, as used in this packet, means a significant change in your situation or circumstances affecting your case.
A third party is a person or group besides the two primarily involved in a situation, especially a dispute.
A warrant is a notification to law enforcement that a person should be arrested when found.