Dictionary of Law
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

guardian ad litem :: legal definition


Guardian ad litem - n. a person appointed by the court only to take legal action on behalf of a minor or an adult not able to handle his/her own affairs. Duties may include filing a lawsuit for an injured child, defending a lawsuit or filing a claim against an estate. Usually a parent will file a petition to be appointed the guardian ad litem of a child hurt in an accident at the same time the lawsuit is filed.

See also: ad litem and Related Law Terms ↓


Related Law Terms

actionable :: adj. when enough facts or circumstances exist to m ... ction lawsuit malicious prosecution
ad litem :: adj. legal Latin meaning "for the purposes of the ... of age. See also: guardian ad litem
collateral :: 1) n. property pledged to secure a loan or debt, u ... ral to the Colorado divorce action.
conservator :: n. a guardian and protector appointed by a judge t ... ies. See also: conservatee guardian
divorce :: 1) n. the termination of a marriage by legal actio ... y separate property spousal support
file :: 1) v. to deposit with the clerk of the court a wri ... rrespondence and notes on the case.
guardian :: n. a person who has been appointed by a judge to t ... torship. See also: conservator ward
in personam :: adj. (in purr-soh-nam) from Latin for "directed to ... here. See also: in rem jurisdiction
infancy :: n. although the popular use of the word means the ... nority. See also: ad litem minority
jurisdiction :: n. the authority given by law to a court to try ca ... Superior Court Supreme Court venue
laches :: n. the legal doctrine that a legal right or claim ... , breach of contract, fraud, etc.).
lis pendens :: (lease pen-dense) n. Latin for "a suit pending," a ... ob can be penalized by court order.
malicious prosecution :: n. filing a lawsuit with the intention of creating ... vor of the victim. See also: malice
next friend :: n. a person (often a relative) who voluntarily hel ... filed. See also: guardian ad litem
notice :: n. 1) information, usually in writing in all legal ... Thirty-day notice three-day notice
parens patriae :: (paa-rens pat-tree-eye) n. Latin for "father of hi ... pport custody divorce guardian ward
party :: n. 1) one of the participants in a lawsuit or othe ... y real party in interest respondent
process :: n. in law, the legal means by which a person is re ... service of process subpena summons
statute of limitations :: n. a law which sets the maximum period which one c ... ies. See also: demurrer laches toll
venue :: n. 1) the proper or most convenient location for t ... ion. See also: forum non conveniens
vexatious litigation :: n. filing a lawsuit with the knowledge that it has ... lous malicious prosecution sanction
ward :: n. 1) a person (usually a minor) who has a guardia ... ouncil district. See also: guardian
wrongful death :: n. the death of a human being as the result of a w ... ual beneficiaries (family members).

Popular Law Searches

legal definition ministerial act :: n. an act, particularly of a governmental employee ... exercising any individual judgment.
chancery legal definition :: n. a court that can order acts performed. Today ch ... ts in most states. See also: equity
testamentary disposition legal definition :: n. how the terms of a will divide the testator's ( ... named beneficiaries. See also: will
contract of sufferance :: n. a "hold-over" tenancy after a lease has expired ... y tenancy at will unlawful detainer
forthwith legal definition :: adv. a term found in contracts, court orders and s ... mediacy, with no excuses for delay.
forthwith definition legal :: adv. a term found in contracts, court orders and s ... mediacy, with no excuses for delay.
what is to wit in a legal contract :: prep. that is to say. Example: "the passengers in ... tty Bumgartner and Sherry Younger."
mirror wills legal definition :: n. the wills of a husband and wife which are ident ... d each names the other as executor.
clean hands doctrine latin :: n. a rule of law that a person coming to court wit ... ices. See also: affirmative defense
sine qua non only relates to contract law :: (see-nay kwah nahn) prep. Latin for "without which ... qua non of the injury to Playmate.

Other Law Terms - G

gag order :: n. a judge's order prohibiting the attorneys and t ... st day in office, January 22, 1993.
garnish :: v. to obtain a court order directing a party holdi ... ed. See also: garnishee garnishment
garnishee :: n. a person or entity, quite often a bank or emplo ... ourt. See also: garnish garnishment
garnishment :: n. the entire process of petitioning for and getti ... heriff. See also: garnish garnishee
gender bias :: n. unequal treatment in employment opportunity (su ... statutes. See also: discrimination
general appearance :: n. an attorney's representation of a client in cou ... case. See also: special appearance
general counsel :: n. the chief attorney for a corporation, who is pa ... e counsel." See also: house counsel
general damages :: n. monetary recovery (money won) in a lawsuit for ... s exemplary damages special damages
general denial :: n. a statement in an answer to a lawsuit or claim ... anguage. See also: answer complaint
general partner :: n. 1) usually one of the owners and operators of a ... ted partnership partner partnership
general plan :: n. a plan of a city, county or area which establis ... uture development. See also: zoning
generation skipping :: adj., adv. referring to gifts made through trusts ... to a grandchild without a gift tax.
gift :: n. the voluntary transfer of property (including m ... ift tax unified estate and gift tax
gift in contemplation of death :: n. (called a gift causa mortis by lawyers showing ... ift tax unified estate and gift tax
gift tax :: n. federal tax on large gifts. Gifts to members of ... ance in gift tax planning is vital.
go bail :: v. slang for putting up the bail money to get an a ... arrest or pending trial or appeal.
good cause :: n. a legally sufficient reason for a ruling or oth ... od cause shown, the court orders:."
good faith :: n. honest intent to act without taking an unfair a ... plied to all kinds of transactions.
Good Samaritan rule :: n. from a Biblical story, if a volunteer comes to ... a lawsuit for millions of dollars.
good title :: n. ownership of real property which is totally fre ... or deed of trust on the property).