Definition

1. Noun:
   • The codefendant charged with adultery with the estranged spouse in a divorce proceeding: A person named as a defendant alongside the spouse in a divorce case, accused of having committed adultery with that spouse.

Usage

• The term "corespondent" is used specifically in the context of divorce law. It refers to the third party alleged to have committed adultery with a married person, making them a party to the divorce lawsuit.
• It is a formal, legal term.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The husband named his business partner as the corespondent in the divorce papers.
  • In the old divorce case, the corespondent was required to pay damages.

Advanced Usage

• The role of a corespondent is now less common in many jurisdictions due to changes in divorce laws, particularly the widespread adoption of "no-fault" divorce, where proving adultery is not necessary.

Variants and Related Words

• Correspondent (noun): This is a different, more common word meaning a person who writes letters or a journalist reporting news from a particular place. Do not confuse "corespondent" with "correspondent."
• Co-respondent: An alternative spelling with a hyphen.

Synonyms

• Codefendant: A person charged jointly with another defendant.
• Third party: A person involved in a situation besides the two primary parties (here, the divorcing spouses).

Notes

• "Corespondent" is a highly specific legal term. Its usage in everyday language is very rare.
• The spelling "co-respondent" (with a hyphen) is also accepted and may help distinguish it from the word "correspondent."

Noun

1. the codefendant charged with adultery with the estranged spouse in a divorce proceeding