Bailiff: The court attendant in
charge of maintaining order in the courtroom.
Bankruptcy: A legal proceeding in
which a person who is financially insolvent requests the
federal bankruptcy court to determine his or her debts and
use his or her assets to pay those debts. Property in
bankruptcy usually is administered for the benefit of the
bankrupt person's creditors. Some forms of bankruptcy seek
to discharge all debt if there are no assets to distribute
to the creditors. Child support obligations cannot be
discharged by bankruptcy.
Bench Warrant: An order issued by a
court for the arrest of a person who has failed to appear in
court as ordered. A bench warrant can also be issued for a
witness who has failed to appear in response to a subpoena.
Beneficiary: Person named in a
document, such as a will or insurance policy that receives a
benefit.
Best Interest of the Child: A
discretionary legal standard that pertains to support,
visitation and custody.
Bigamy: A criminal offense committed
when one spouse enters a marriage when the previous marriage
has not been terminated.
Bill of Particulars: The formal title
for information attached to a complaint or petition.
Biological Parent: A parent by blood.
Blood Test: The process by which
blood is drawn from a child and its parents and tested to
determine biological parentage. It involves genetic HLA and
DNA testing.
Bona Fide: Truthfully, honestly and
without deceit.
Brief: A document presented to the
court outlining one side's position.
Burden of Proof: One spouse must
prove to the court any claims made against the opposing
spouse. The claims must be supported with sufficient
evidence.
