Estoppel is a defense in a variety of legal actions that happen in divorce. Estoppel can arise by what is called "acts and declarations," when one party relies on the promise of another to his or her detriment.

In divorce appeals, the doctrine of estoppel may interest in the property.

Collateral estoppel means that the a decided issue cannot be relitigated by the same parties in future court actions. In short, what’s done is done. In a divorce, collateral estoppel in general precludes relitigation of a marital property settlement after an equitable distribution.

In family law, equitable estopple finds party seeking to have a man who believed to his father named his father.

Estoppel, in its forms, rests on the doctrine of res judicata, a Latin term meaning "thing adjudged."

Res judicata means that the action to court in another court.

In a divorce, res judicata is a procedural decision and judgment has already had his or her "day in court."

The rule of res judicata does not apply to, for example, a child support due to change in circumstances, nor does apply to appropriate appeals.

See also Affirmative Defense; Res Judicata