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Advance directives

Legal documents that specify an individual’s preferences for medical treatment if they become unable to make decisions themselves.

Approximation rule

A principle for determining child custody that considers each parent’s prior involvement in the child’s care.

Assisted outpatient treatment (AOT)

Court-ordered mental health treatment provided to individuals in community settings rather than in hospitals.

Best interest of the child (BIC) standard

A guideline for making decisions that prioritize the child's welfare and well-being in custody cases.

Case-blind consultant

An expert who provides general knowledge relevant to a case without specific details about the individuals involved.

Child custody evaluations (CCEs)

Assessments conducted by mental health professionals to assist courts in making child custody decisions.

Compensatory damages

Financial compensation awarded to a plaintiff for losses suffered due to another's actions.

Employment compensation claims

Claims for monetary recovery related to employment issues, such as wrongful termination.

Family courts

Courts that handle cases related to family matters, such as divorce, custody, and child support.

Forensic neuropsychology

The application of neuropsychological principles to legal cases, often to assess cognitive functioning.

Friendly-parent rule

A guideline favoring the parent more likely to support the child’s relationship with the other parent in custody cases.

Gender harassment

Unwelcome conduct related to an individual’s gender, often creating a hostile environment.

Hastened death evaluations

Assessments determining an individual’s competence to make end-of-life decisions, including the choice to hasten death.

Injunction

A court order requiring an individual to do or refrain from doing a specific act.

Least detrimental alternative standard

A principle that seeks to make custody decisions minimizing harm to the child.

Legal parental authority

The right of a parent to make important decisions on behalf of their child, such as medical or educational choices.

MacArthur Competence Assessment Tool–Treatment (MacCAT-T)

A tool for assessing a patient’s capacity to make informed treatment decisions.

Outpatient treatment (OT) orders

Court mandates for mental health treatment provided outside of hospital settings.

Parental relocation

The issue of a parent moving to a new location, often affecting child custody arrangements.

Parenting evaluation

An assessment that provides recommendations about a parent’s fitness or parenting abilities in custody disputes.

Physical parental authority

The right of a parent to make daily, practical decisions about a child’s physical care and well-being.

Plaintiff

The individual who initiates a lawsuit against another party in court.

Preventive outpatient treatment (or commitment)

Treatment ordered to prevent deterioration of mental health, often without hospitalization.

Probate courts

Courts that deal with matters related to wills, estates, and guardianship.

Projective instruments

Psychological tests used to assess underlying emotions, attitudes, and personality traits.

Punitive damages

Financial penalties intended to punish a defendant for particularly harmful or reckless behavior.

Respondent

The individual against whom a legal action or petition is filed.

Sexual Experiences Questionnaire (SEQ)

A tool designed to measure instances of sexual harassment in the workplace.

Sexual harassment

Unwanted or inappropriate behavior of a sexual nature that affects an individual’s work environment.

Tender years doctrine

A presumption favoring maternal custody of young children in legal decisions.

Termination of parental rights

A legal process that permanently ends the legal relationship between a parent and child.

Testamentary capacity

The mental ability of an individual to create or alter a valid will.

Tort

A wrongful act that causes harm to another person, leading to civil legal liability.

Visitation risk assessments

Evaluations to determine the potential risks associated with allowing a parent visitation rights.