Estin Doctrine Law & Legal Definition

This term is commonly used in family law in the context of divorce proceedings. The Estin Doctrine states that although full faith and credit is given to a divorce decree in terminating a marriage, a spousal support provision may not be recognized by another court unless the court entering the order had jurisdiction over both spouses. The Court in which a divorce decree is enforced has to have jurisdiction over both the spouses in order to recognize a spousal support provision.