Divorce Court Is A Slang Term

Divorce court is a slang term for what is known in the legal community as Family Court, Domestic Relations or in some jurisdictions the Family Law Division.  Divorce court is also a popular reality television show in which divorcing parties can have their domestic issues decided by a judge.  Actual divorce cases are rarely as dramatic as those seen on television are.  Most of the drama in family court cases involves custody issues.

Few states have jury trials for divorce hearings.  Divorce hearings in “divorce court” are generally held before a standing master or special master.  In cases where there is no contest to the divorce, only the petitioning party is required to attend the divorce hearing.