A
A | C | D | E | F | I | J | M | O | P | R | S | T | 1-10
Automatic Restraining Order
A Court rule that says parents cannot change their finances once a divorce case starts. They can spend money on regular and usual living expenses. But they cannot make big purchases, sell property, incur debt, or change anything on life or health insurance policies. Anyone wishing to do any of these things must get permission from the other parent or the court. (Probate and Family Court Supplemental Rule 411.)
C
A | C | D | E | F | I | J | M | O | P | R | S | T | 1-10
Child’s Attorney
A family attorney may be appointed by the Court at the beginning of a FRSC matter to make sure the child/ren’s ideas are considered, when needed.
Child Support
Money paid by one parent to the other so that both households can take care of the children when the parents live apart. Refer to “Child Support Guidelines” and “Deviation.”
- Child Support Guidelines: Court guidelines used to help decide on a reasonable amount of child support. Both parents’ incomes are counted. Refer to Child Support Guidelines and forms for Child Support Guidelines.
- Deviation: An up or down change from the amount of child support calculated in the Child Support Guidelines.
Consent to Participate in FRSC
A form signed by FRSC parents before filing in FRSC. The Consent describes the process, the Team Members, and everyone’s role and responsibilities. Before signing, parents make sure they agree to all the terms of FRSC.
Court Activity Record Information (CARI)
Files of a person’s criminal and some civil cases that have taken place in any Massachusetts court.
Court Conference
FRSC courtroom meetings run by the Judge. The parents and the rest of the team attend. After each Court Conference, the Judge writes an Order summarizing the meeting. When the case is finished, the Judge writes a final Judgment.
Custody
An older legal term for parenting that is not usually used in FRSC. In FRSC, parents talk about responsibilities of parenting:
- Decision-Making - how parents make big decisions for their child/ren. In FRSC, parents often agree to share decision-making about their child/ren’s schooling, medical care, and religious upbringing.
- Parenting Schedule - how parents take care of their child/ren day-to-day. FRSC parents create a parenting schedule that usually allows the child/ren to live part of the time with one parent and part of the time with the other. The schedule is often not equal, but it can be. The important thing is that the schedule should work well for the child/ren. Parents consider the child/ren’s needs, parents’ work schedules, safety issues, distance between homes or schools, and other factors affecting their child/ren.
D
A | C | D | E | F | I | J | M | O | P | R | S | T | 1-10
Department of Revenue or “DOR”
The Massachusetts agency that can help any parent collect child support. If a parent gets public assistance, DOR is automatically involved in child support matters for that family.
E
A | C | D | E | F | I | J | M | O | P | R | S | T | 1-10
Evidence
Information used by the Court that helps to prove or disprove important facts. Evidence may be spoken or written statements, documents and records, or physical items.
F
A | C | D | E | F | I | J | M | O | P | R | S | T | 1-10
Family Consultant or “FC”
A mental health professional working with a FRSC family. The FC knows a lot about children’s needs. The FC guides the parents through the FRSC process. The FC offers support and information about coparenting, parenting skills, child development, and parent communication. The FC helps parents create or change a parenting plan and offers resources for community services if needed for any family member.
Family Resolutions Specialty Court or “FRSC”
A collaborative problem-solving family court that offers support for co-parents to manage and reduce conflict; help settle parenting and financial arrangements in the children’s best interests; and tools for productive future parenting and coparenting
Financial Statement
A required Court form each parent must complete with detailed financial information about income, expenses, property, and debts. All information in financial statements must be complete and honest. (Supplemental Probate and Family Court Rule 401).
I
A | C | D | E | F | I | J | M | O | P | R | S | T | 1-10
Initial Parenting Consultation
The first meeting of the parents and the Family Consultant to talk about parents’ hopes, concerns and challenges. The Family Consultant usually meets with the parents together and separately.
J
A | C | D | E | F | I | J | M | O | P | R | S | T | 1-10
Judgment
A decision written by the Judge that ends and closes a case. It may reference an
agreement of the parents.
Judicial Case Manager or “JCM”
An attorney who works for the Court and gives advice to attorneys and parents about the court process.
M
A | C | D | E | F | I | J | M | O | P | R | S | T | 1-10
Mandatory Self-Disclosure
A Court rule that requires each parent to give copies of pay stubs, tax returns, bank accounts, etc. to the other parent. (Supplemental Rule 410.)
Mediation
A series of meetings with a neutral mediator who helps the parents work together to reach agreements about their children and their finances.
O
A | C | D | E | F | I | J | M | O | P | R | S | T | 1-10
Opt-In/Opt-Out
A request by a parent for the Judge to end the process and close the FRSC matter before a resolution and Judgment. A team member may also ask the Judge to close the FRSC matter (refer out).
Order
A summary written by the Judge after each Court Conference. It may include a decision that the parents must follow during the case.
P
A | C | D | E | F | I | J | M | O | P | R | S | T | 1-10
Co-parent Education Program
Online co-parenting program, “Two Families Now,” which is required by the Probate and Family Court in all cases involving children under 18.
Parenting Plan
The parents’ plan for time they each spend with the child/ren and how they will communicate and make child-related decisions.
Parenting Questionnaire
A detailed form used in FRSC which parents must complete before filing in FRSC. The Team uses the Parenting Questionnaire to learn about a family so they can address the family’s needs.
Pleadings
Formal papers filed with the Court to start a FRSC matter.
Probation Officer or “PO”
A Court employee from the Probation Department who helps some FRSC families if ordered by the FRSC Judge to do investigations, substance testing, and/or monitoring of Court orders.
Pro Se
When a person in Court represents themself.
R
A | C | D | E | F | I | J | M | O | P | R | S | T | 1-10
Registry or Registry of Probate
The Registry takes care of the Court files. Registry staff answer questions about filings and Court dates.
“Regular” or "Traditional" Track
A non-FRSC case in the Probate and Family Court.
S
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Support Team
Members of a FRSC Team working with parents: their attorney/s (if any), Family Consultant, Mediator, Team Coordinator, and Child’s Attorney if appointed.
T
A | C | D | E | F | I | J | M | O | P | R | S | T | 1-10
Team
The parents, their attorneys (if any), and the Support Team (Family Consultant, Mediator, Team Coordinator, and Child’s Attorney if appointed).
Numerical (1-10)
A | C | D | E | F | I | J | M | O | P | R | S | T | 1-10
209A
Massachusetts’ abuse prevention law. This law is meant to protect people from intimate partner violence (IPV) or domestic violence. It applies to people who are or were married to each other, living in the same household, or related by blood or marriage. It also applies to people who have children together or have been in a substantial dating relationship. The Court can order the accused abuser to stop the abuse and to leave the home. The Court can also order the accused abuser to have no contact with the person asking for protection and to turn in all guns and firearm IDs. (Massachusetts General Law Chapter 209A)