Legal Terms

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

All Terms

401(k) plan

A
ab initio
AB trust
abandonment (of a child)
abandonment (of a spouse)
abandonment (of trademark)
abatement
abstract of title
abstract of trust
abuse
accessory
accompanying relative
accomplice
accord and satisfaction
accumulation trust
acknowledged father
acknowledgment
acquittal
act of God
act of nature
action
actual damages
actus reus
ADA
ADEA
ademption
adjustable rate mortgage (ARM)
administration (of an estate)
administrative expenses
administrator
administratrix
admissible evidence
admission
adopt
adopted child
adoption
adoptive parent
ADR
adult
adultery
advance directive
adverse possession
affiant
affirmative action
affirmative defense
Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA)
age of majority
agent
aggravate
aggravating circumstances
agreement
alien registration receipt card (ARC)
alimony
allegation
Allen charge
alternate beneficiary
alternative dispute resolution (ADR)
Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA)
amicus
amicus curiae
ancillary probate
annual meeting
annuity
annulment
answer
anticipation
appeal
appellant
appellate court
appellee
appraisal
appraiser
appreciation
arbitration
arbitrator
argument
ARM
arraignment
arrearages
arrest
arrest warrant
articles of incorporation
assault
assessment benefits
assignee
assignment
assignment (of copyright)
association
asylum
at issue memorandum
at will employment
attestation
attorney fees
Attorney General
attorney work product privilege
attorney-client privilege
attorney-in-fact
attractive nuisance
audit
augmented estate
authenticate
author
automatic stay
autopsy
avails
avowal

B
bail
bail bond
bailiff
bailor
balloon payment
ballot
bankruptcy
bankruptcy estate
bankruptcy trustee
bar examination
basis
battery
bench
bench trial
beneficiary
benevolent society benefits
bequeath
bequest
Berne Convention
best evidence rule
best interests (of the child)
beyond a reasonable doubt
bifurcate
binding precedent
blanket search warrant
blue law
blue sky laws
board of directors
bond
booking
border patrol
breach
breach of contract
brief
bulk sales law
burden of proof
burglary
business records exception
bylaws
bypass trust

C
C corporation
capital case
capital gains
capital punishment
capitalized interest
caption
carryover basis
case
cash surrender value
cause of action
CC&R
CCCS
census
certification mark
certification of trust
certified copy
challenge for cause
chambers
Chapter 13 bankruptcy
Chapter 13 plan
Chapter 7 bankruptcy
charge
charitable trust
child
child support
circuit court
circumstantial evidence
civil
civil case
civil procedure
Civil Rights Act of 1964
class action
cleaning fee
clear and present danger
close corporation
closing argument
co-tenants
codicil
collateral
collateral estoppel
collection agency
collective mark
collective work
collision damage waiver
collision insurance coverage
collusion
comfort care
comity of nations
commerce
commercial frustration
common law marriage
community property
community property with right of survivorship
comparable rectitude
competent evidence
compilation
complaint
comprehensive insurance coverage
condemnation
conditions of carriage
condonation
confidential communication
confine
confinement in prison
conformed copy
connivance
consanguinity
conservator
consideration
Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA)
consortium
constable
constructive eviction
Consumer Credit Counseling Service (CCCS)
Consumer Leasing Act
consummation
contempt
contempt of court
contest
contingency
contingency fee
contingent beneficiary
continuance
contraband
contract
conviction
cookie
cooling-off rule
cooperative insurance
copy
copyright
copyright notice
Copyright Office
copyright owner
copyright registration
corporate resolution
corporation
corpus delecti
cosigner
cost basis
counterclaim
counteroffer
County Attorney
court calendar
court costs
court order
covenant
covenants, conditions & restrictions (CC&Rs)
credit bureau
credit counseling
credit file
credit insurance
credit report
credit shelter trust
creditor
crime
crime against nature
criminal case
criminal complaint
criminal insanity
criminal law
cross-claim
cross-complaint
cross-examination
cross-licensing
cruelty
cum testamento annexo
curator
current monthly income
curtesy
custodial interference
custodian
custody (of a child)
cybersquatting

D
damages
DBA
death taxes
debenture
debit card
debt collector
debtor
decedent
decision
declaration under penalty of perjury
declaratory judgment
dedimus potestatum
deductible
deduction
deed
deed in lieu (of foreclosure)
deed of trust
deep link
defamation
default
default divorce
default judgment
defeasance
defendant
defined benefit plan
defined contribution plan
demur
demurrer
dependents benefits
deponent
deportation
deposition
derivative work
descriptive mark
desertion
design patent
detain
devise
devisee
dicta
dictum
digital signature
dilution
direct examination
directed verdict
director
disability benefits
discharge (of debts)
discharge (of probate administrator)
dischargeable debts
disclaim
disclaimer
disclosure
discovery
disinherit
disposable income
dispute
dissolution
distinctive mark
distributee
District Attorney (D.A.)
district court
diversity jurisdiction
dividend
divorce
divorce agreement
docket
doctrine of equivalents
doing business as (DBA)
domain name
dominant tenement
donation
donee
donor
dower and curtesy
down payment
draft
driving under the influence (DUI)
driving while intoxicated (DWI)
drunk driving
DUI
durable power of attorney
durable power of attorney for finances
durable power of attorney for health care
DWI
dynamite charge

E
easement
easement by prescription
eavesdropping
EEOC
effluxion of time
eggshell skull
egress
elective share
Electronic Funds Transfer Act
electronic signature
electronic surveillance
electronic ticket
elements (of a case)
elements (of a crime)
emancipation
emergency protective order
eminent domain
Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA)
encroachment
endowment insurance
entity
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
equitable distribution
equitable estoppel
ERISA
escheat
estate
estate planning
estate taxes
estoppel
estoppel by deed
estoppel by silence
estoppel in pais
eviction
evidence
evidentiary
exclusionary rule
exclusive license
exculpatory clause
executive privilege
executor
executrix
exemplary damages
exempt property
exemption trust
express warranty
expropriation
expunge
extended warranty contracts

F
failure of consideration
failure of issue
Fair Credit Billing Act (FCBA)
Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)
Fair Debt Collections & Practices Act (FDCPA)
Fair Housing Act & Fair Housing Amendments Act
Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
fair use rule
false arrest
false imprisonment
family allowance
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
family court
family pot trust
fault divorce
FCBA
FCRA
FDCPA
federal court
Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
felony
Feres doctrine
fictitious business name
fictitious name
fieri facias
file
filing fee
final beneficiary
financial guardian
finder's fee
fishing expedition
fitness
fixed in a tangible medium of expression
fixed rate mortgage
FMLA
for sale by owner (FSBO)
forbearance
forced share
foreclosure
foreign divorce
forfeiture
form interrogatories
forum
forum nonconveniens
forum shopping
foster care
foster child
framing
fraternal benefit society benefits
fraud
fraudulent transfer
freeze-out
friendly suit
friendly witness
frolic
FSBO
FTC
funding a trust
future interest

G
garnishment
GATT
General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT)
general damages
general partner
general power of attorney
generation-skipping transfer tax
generation-skipping trust
generic mark
genericide
gift taxes
golden rule argument
goods & chattels
grace period
grand jury
grandfather clause
grant deed
grantor
grantor retained income trust
gravamen
green card
greenmail
gross estate
gross lease
grounds for divorce
group life or group health insurance
guaranteed reservation
guarantor
guaranty
guardian
guardian ad litem
guardian of the estate
guardianship

H
habeas corpus
habeas corpus ad subjiciendum
harassment
head of family
head of household
health benefits
healthcare directives
healthcare proxy
hearing
hearsay rule
heir
heir apparent
heir at law
high seas
hold harmless
holographic will
home study
home warranty
homeowners' association
homestead
homestead declaration
homicide
hot pursuit
house closing
householder
housekeeper
Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
HUD
hung jury
hyperlink

I
I-94 card
illegal
illicit
illusory promise
immigrant visa
Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS)
impeach
implied warranty
implied warranty of habitability
imprison
in camera
in propia persona
in terrorem
in toto
inadmissible evidence
incapacity
incidents of ownership
incompatibility
incompetence
incompetency
incurable insanity
indecent exposure
independent contractor
indispensable party
information
informed consent
infraction
infringement (of copyright)
infringement (of patent)
infringement (of trademark)
ingress
inherit
inheritance taxes
inheritors
injunction
injunctive relief
inlining
INS
insanity
intangible property
integrated pension plan
intellectual property (IP) law
intent-to-use application
intentional tort
inter vivos trust
interest
interference
interlocutory decree
Internet service provider (ISP)
interrogation
interrogatory
intestate
intestate succession
inure
inventory
invest
investor
invitee
IP
ipse dixit
ipso facto
irreconcilable differences
irremediable or irretrievable breakdown
irresistible impulse test
irrevocable trust
IRS expenses
ISP
issue

J
JNOV
joint custody
joint tenancy
joint work
judgment
judgment notwithstanding the verdict (JNOV)
jurisdiction
jurisdictional amount
juror
jury
jury nullification
jus cogens
jus naturale
justice system

K
kindred

L
labor certification
landlord
Lanham Act
lapse
larceny
lawful issue
lease
lease option
legacy
legal action
legal custody
legal papers
legal risk placement
legislative immunity
lemon
letters testamentary
lewd
lex loci
liability
liability insurance coverage
liable
libel
license (of invention, copyright or trademark)
lien
life beneficiary
life insurance
life insurance avails
life tenant
life-prolonging procedures
life-sustaining procedures
limited equity housing
limited liability
limited liability company (LLC)
limited liability partnership (LLP)
limited partnership
limited personal liability
limited power of attorney
lineal descendants
lineup
link
liquid assets
liquidating partner
lis pendens
litigation
living trust
living will
LLC
LLP
loan broker
loan consolidation
loss damage waiver (LDW)

M
Mail or Telephone Order Rule
majority
malfeasance
malpractice
mandamus
mandatory
mandatory injunction
marital deduction
marital life estate trust
marital property
Marital Settlement Agreement
Marital Termination Agreement
marriage
marriage certificate
marriage license
martial misconduct
McNaghten Rule
means test
mechanic's lien
median family income
mediation
mediator
Medicaid
Medicare
meeting of creditors
memorandum
memorandum decision
mens rea
mineral rights
minimum contacts
minor
Miranda warning
misdemeanor
misfeasance
misrepresentation
mistrial
misunderstanding
MLS
month-to-month tenancy
moral rights
mortality charge
mortgage
motion
motion for summary judgment
motion in limine
multiple listing service (MLS)

N
naked option
natural person
naturalization
negative amortization
negative pregnant
negotiable instrument
net earnings
net estate
net lease
net taxable estate
next friend
next of kin
no-fault divorce
no-fault insurance
nol. pros.
nolle prosequi
nolo
nolo contendere
nominal damages
noncompete
noncompetition agreement
nondischargeable debts
nondisclosure agreement
nonexempt property
nonimmigrant
nonimmigrant visa
nonobviousness
nonprobate
nonprofit corporation
nonrefundable ticket
nontransferable ticket
notarize
notary public
novation
novelty
nuisance
nuisance fees
nulla bona

O
oath
oath of office
obiter dictum
Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA)
offensive collateral estoppel
offer
offer of proof
officer
offset
Older Workers Benefit Protection Act
one-year rule
open adoption
opening statement
OR
order
order to show cause
ordinance
original work of authorship
OSHA
overbooking
own recognizance (OR)
owners' agreement

P
pain and suffering
palimony
par value
paralegal
partnership
party
patent
Patent and Trademark Office (PTO)
patent claim
patent deed
patent drawing
patent pending
patent search
paternity suit
pay-on-death (POD) designation
PBGC
pendente lite
pension
Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC)
per capita
per stirpes
peremptory challenge
permanent resident
personal injury
personal injury recovery
personal property
personal representative
petition
petition (immigration)
petitioner
petitioner (immigration)
physical custody
physical incapacity
piercing the veil
plagiarism
plaintiff
plant patent
plea
plea bargain
pleading
PMI
POD
poison pill
post hoc
pot trust
pour-over will
power of appointment
power of attorney
PPA
prayer for relief
precedent
predeceased spouse
preference
preliminary injunction
premarital agreement
prenuptial agreement
presumed abuse
presumption of innocence
pretermitted heir
prima facie
principal
Principal Register
prior art
priority debt
private mortgage insurance (PMI)
privileged communication
pro hac vice
pro per
pro se
probable cause
probate
probate court
proceeds for damaged exempt property
professional corporation
promissory estoppel
property
property control trust
property guardian
prosecute
Prosecuting Attorney
prosecutor
proving a will
provisional patent application (PPA)
provocation
PTO
public administrator
public defender
public domain
published work
punitive damages
pur autre vie

Q
QDOT trust
QDRO
QMSCO
QTIP trust
Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO)
Qualified Medical Child Support Order (QMSCO)
quantum meruit
quasi-community property
quiet enjoyment
quitclaim deed

R
rainmaker
reading on
reaffirmation
real estate
real estate agent
real estate broker
real property
recording
recusal
red herring
redaction
redemption
reformation
refugee
remainderman
removal
rent control
replacement value
replevin
repossession
request for admission
request to admit
res ipsa loquitur
res nova
residuary beneficiary
residuary estate
residue
respondent
response
responsive pleadings
restraining order
restraint on alienation
retainer
retirement benefits
rhadamanthine
right of representation
right of survivorship
right to cancel (a contract)
rollover
rule against perpetuities
rule of doubt
ruling
running with the land

S
S corporation
search warrant
secondary meaning
secret warranty program
secured debt
security deposit
seizure
self-defense
self-incrimination
self-proving will
sentence
separate property
separation
service mark
servient tenement
setback
setoff
settlor
severability clause
severance pay
sexual harassment
shared custody
shared equity mortgage
shareholder
shareholders' agreement
short sale (of house)
shotgun charge
sick leave
sickness benefits
slander
SLAPP suit
small claims court
small entity
Social Security
sole custody
sole proprietorship
sound mind
sound recording copyright
spam
special administrator
special damages
special power of attorney
specials
specific bequest
specific intent
specific performance
specification
spendthrift trust
spite fence
split custody
sponsor
spousal support
springing durable power of attorney
sprinkling trust
stare decisis
state court
State's Attorney
status (immigration)
statute
statute of limitations
statutory damages
statutory share
statutory subject matter
stepchild
stepparent adoption
stepped-up basis
stipulated insurance
stirpes
sua sponte
sublease
subpena
subpena duces tecum
subpoena
subrogation
substituted service
substitution of parties
succession
successor trustee
sui generis
summary adjudication of issues
summary judgment
summary probate
summons
sunset law
sunshine laws
superior court
Supplemental Register
Supremacy clause
Supreme Court
surrender value
surrogate court
surviving spouse
surviving spouse's trust
survivors benefits
swearing match

T
taking
taking against the will
tangible personal property
tax basis
temporary restraining order (TRO)
tenancy by the entirety
tenancy in common
tenant
tenants in common
tender offer
testamentary disposition
testamentary trust
testate
testator
testify
third degree instruction
TILA
title
title company
title insurance
tort
tortious interference
Totten trust
toxic tort
trade dress
trade name
trade secret
trademark
trademark ownership
trademark registration
trademark search
treble damages
triple net lease
TRO
trust corpus
trust deed
trust merger
trustee
trustee powers
trustor
Truth in Lending Act (TILA)

U
U.S. Copyright Office
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
ultra vires
unclean hands
unconscionability
uncontested divorce
undercapitalization
underwriter
undue hardship
unemployment insurance (UI)
unfair competition
Uniform Gifts to Minors Act
Uniform Resource Locator (URL)
Uniform Transfer-on-Death Security Act
Uniform Transfers to Minors Act
uninsured motorist coverage
United States Attorney
unjust enrichment
unlawful
unlawful detainer
unsecured debt
URL
use tax
usefulness
usufruct
utility patent

V
variance
veniremen
venue
vertical privity
vested remainder
view ordinance
visa
visa waiver program
visitation rights
volenti non fit injuria

W
warrant
warranty
warranty adjustment program
warranty deed
warranty of fitness
warranty of merchantability
wash sale
will
willful tort
winding up
wiretapping
with prejudice
witness
witnesseth
words of procreation
work for hire
work made for hire
workers' compensation
workmen's compensation
workout
wrongful death
wrongful death recoveries

Y
yellow-dog contract

Z
zoning