ABANDONMENT - the term used to describe the action of one spouse leaving the marital home without consent. This action is deemed as grounds for divorce in some states or provinces. ABSENT PARENT - the parent who does not have custodial rights to the child, but is responsible for the partial support of the child and is physically absent from the home where the child resides. This parent is usually referred to as the non-custodial parent. ACCRUE - to propagate or build upon. ACTION- the legal term for what is generally referred to as a lawsuit. ADVERSARIAL DIVORCE- a divorce where each spouse is unable to come to any agreement. ADMISSIBLE - any form of testimony or evidence that is allowed into court. ADULTERY - when one spouse has sexual intercourse with a third party. In some states and provinces this is considered grounds for divorce. ADVERSARIAL DIVORCE - a divorce where each spouse is unable to come to any agreement. ADVERSARY - the opposition or the opposing party in a lawsuit. In