D
DCSS
Division of Child Support Services; the division of DES charged with the statewide administration and operation of IV-D child support programs.
De-escalation
Measures taken to reduce the intensity of a conflict or potentially violent situation.
Debt
Something, typically money, that is owed or due.
Debt Collection
The process of pursuing payments of debts owed by individuals or businesses.
Debt Division
The court's decision on how to split and assign responsibility of the parties’ community debt (the debt incurred during the marriage) to the couple getting divorced.
Deed of Trust
(1) A real-estate transaction used in place of a mortgage where a lender gives the borrower money and the title of the property is given to a trustee. (2) An agreement between a lender and a borrower to give the title of a property to a neutral third party who will serve as a trustee.
Default
The failure to do something required by law or the failure to appear at a required time in legal proceedings.
Defendant
The person or entity sued in a civil case or accused in a criminal case.
Deferral
(1) Putting off something until a future date. (2) To postpone or delay.
Degredation
To be treated or regarded with contempt or disrespect.
Demoted
To give someone a lower rank or less senior position.
Dependency
Cases or hearings that are initiated in the interest of children who are believed to be without proper care.
Deportation
The expulsion or removal of a person or group of people from a place or country.
Derivative Beneficiaries
A foreign national who is able to join on as an applicant based on their relationship to the primary applicant, such as a child being included in a parent's immigration status application.
Disability
(1) A mental or physical impairment that substantially limits a major life activity. (2) A physical or mental problem that makes it difficult or impossible for a person to walk, see, hear, speak, learn, or do other important things.
Discovery
A pre-trial procedure in a lawsuit in which each party can obtain evidence from the other party or parties through various requests.
Discrimination
The unequal or prejudicial treatment of someone based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, disability, age (age 40 or older), or genetic information.
Disposition
The court's final determination of a lawsuit or criminal charge.
Divorce
The court process to terminate or end a legal marriage.
Divorce Decree
A complete court order that ends a marriage and details everything between the spouses including custody (legal decision-making), visitation (parenting time), and child support for children of the marriage, division of property and debt, spousal maintenance (alimony), and name changes.
Documents
A piece of written, printed, or electronic matter that provides information or evidence or that serves as an official record.
Domestic Violence
(1)
A pattern of abusive behavior committed by one family or household member against another to gain or maintain control, including physical, sexual, emotional, economic, or psychological abuse. (2) Domestic violence is any behavior the purpose of which is to gain power and control over a spouse, partner, girl/boyfriend or intimate family member.