Section 25-1.Definitions Applicable to Proceedings on Family Matters

This section sets the reach of Chapter 25. A “family matter” is any action brought under the statute the section cites, and the list that follows is illustrative rather than closed: dissolution of marriage or civil union, legal separation, dissolution after legal separation, annulment, alimony, support, custody, and a change of name incident to a dissolution. It also covers habeas corpus and other proceedings to determine custody and visitation, except those properly filed as juvenile matters; establishing parentage; enforcing foreign matrimonial or civil union judgments; actions about prenuptial, pre-civil union and separation agreements and about foreign decrees; restraining order applications under the statute the section names; custody proceedings under the interstate custody act; and support enforcement under the interstate family support act.

The second part is a scheduling accommodation. Where another rule in this chapter says a motion goes on the short calendar, the court can satisfy that by scheduling it for a case date, a motion docket, or another court event instead, so long as the time periods that rule sets are still observed. Family cases are managed on their own calendars, and the rule lets that happen without amending every scheduling provision.