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Maintenance – Used in other states and is the same as spousal support and alimony.

Marital Property – Accumulated income and property acquired by the spouses during the
marriage, subject to division by the court. States will vary on their precise definition of what is to be
included in marital property, sometimes excepting property acquired by gift or inheritance. (See
community property and equitable division of property.)

Marital Standard of Living – A factor when determining alimony, allowing the recipient an
adequate amount to maintain their current lifestyle.

Mediation – A non-adversarial process in which a husband and wife are assisted in reaching their
own terms of divorce by a neutral third party trained in divorce matters. The mediator has no power
to make or enforce decisions. Mediation differs greatly from Arbitration.

Medical Support Order - An order requiring the parent to provide medical or dental insurance or
to pay for medical expenses not covered by insurance. See your family law facilitator, LCSA or
attorney for details.

Modification – A change in the judgment, based on a change in circumstances.

Money Purchase Plan – A money purchase plan requires set annual contributions from the
employer to individual accounts and is subject to other rules.

Motion – An application or request to the court for an order. May be written or verbal.

Multiemployer Plan – A retirement plan sponsored by several employers under collective
bargaining agreements that meets certain other requirements. A participant who changes jobs from
one sponsoring employer to another stays within the same plan.

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