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
Founded: 238
deed :: 1) n. the written document which transfers title ( ... veyance deed of trust warranty deed
registry of deeds :: n. the records of land title documents kept by the ... mployee to locate. See also: record
grant :: v. to transfer real property from a title holder ( ... deed grantee grantor quitclaim deed
implied warranty :: n. an assumption at law that products are "merchan ... er. See also: caveat emptor implied
exception in deed :: n. a notation in a deed of title to real property ... the transfer (conveyance) of title.
grantor :: n. the party who transfers title in real property ... or quitclaim deed. See also: grant
grantee :: n. the party who receives title to real property ( ... or quitclaim deed. See also: grant
trust deed :: n. another name for a deed of trust, a form of mor ... paid back. See also: deed of trust
deed of trust :: n. a document which pledges real property to secur ... : foreclosure mortgage reconveyance
grantor-grantee index :: n. a set of books and/or computerized lists found ... ument in tracking a chain of title.
remainder :: n. in real property law, the interest in real prop ... ed reversion title vested remainder
life estate :: n. the right to use or occupy real property for on ... hter, Sadie, will own the property.
remise :: v. to give up something, sometimes used in quitcla ... aim deeds. See also: quitclaim deed
fee :: n. 1) absolute title in land, from old French, fie ... See also: attorney's fee fee simple
subject to :: adj. referring to the acquisition of title to real ... : assumption deed of trust mortgage
reversion :: n. in real property, the return to the grantor or ... lled "reverter." See also: reverter
restrictive covenant :: n. 1) an agreement included in a deed to real prop ... o: covenant that runs with the land
reservation :: n. a provision in a deed which keeps (reserves) to ... reserves lot 5." See also: reserve
determinable :: adj. defining something which may be terminated up ... es or no longer lives in the house.
fee simple :: n. absolute title to land, free of any other claim ... e:" or similar words. See also: fee
convey :: v. to transfer title (official ownership) to real ... ion conveyance deed grantee grantor
warrant :: 1) n. an order (writ) of a court which directs a l ... e search and seizure search warrant
warranty :: n. a written statement of good quality of merchand ... of the contract. See also: warrant
covenant :: 1) n. a promise in a written contract or a deed of ... o compete deed restrictive covenant
search warrant :: n. a written order by a judge which permits a law ... ble cause search search and seizure
condition subsequent :: n. 1) in a contract, a happening which terminates ... Dad Fauntleroy. See also: condition
bench warrant :: n. a warrant issued by a judge, often to command s ... appear in court. See also: warrant
arrest warrant :: n. a judge's order to law enforcement officers to ... ommitted a crime. See also: warrant
breach of warranty :: n. determination that a statement as to title of p ... See also: implied warranty warranty
good title :: n. ownership of real property which is totally fre ... or deed of trust on the property).
fraud in the inducement :: n. the use of deceit or trick to cause someone to ... nt. See also: extrinsic fraud fraud
fraud :: n. the intentional use of deceit, a trick or some ... audulent conveyance intrinsic fraud
free and clear :: adj. referring to the ownership of real property u ... the title has no claim against it.
harmless error :: n. an error by a judge in the conduct of a trial w ... ar to be harmless." See also: error
instrument :: n. 1) a written legal document such as a contract, ... in an assault (a blunt instrument).
issue :: 1) n. a person's children or other lineal descenda ... the body incorporation share stock
joint :: adj., adv. referring to property, rights or obliga ... ncy joint venture tenancy in common
joint tenancy :: n. a crucial relationship in the ownership of real ... ty property tenancy in common title
indenture :: n. a type of real property deed in which two parti ... bind a person to work for another.
in lieu :: prep. instead. "In lieu taxes" are use taxes paid ... go through the foreclosure process.
confidential relation :: n. a relationship in which one person has confiden ... remely obvious. See also: fiduciary
hereditament :: n. any kind of property which can be inherited. Th ... till found in some wills and deeds.
homestead :: 1) n. the house and lot of a homeowner which the h ... s in "he homesteaded the property."
immaterial :: adj. a commonly heard objection to introducing evi ... ons. See also: irrelevant objection
foreclosure sale :: n. the actual forced sale of real property at a pu ... dicial sale mortgage sheriff's sale
foreclosure :: n. the system by which a party who has loaned mone ... ced sale mortgage notice of default
easement :: n. the right to use the real property of another f ... rstandings at the time of creation.
encumbrance :: (incumbrance)n. a general term for any claim or li ... and must be paid for at some point.
escrow :: 1) n. a form of account held by an "escrow agent" ... w the deal." See also: escrow agent
demise :: 1) v. an old-fashioned expression meaning to lease ... r life. 3) n. death. 4) n. failure.
delivery :: n. the actual handing to another of an object, mon ... rties. See also: contract deed sale
defective :: adj. not being capable of fulfilling its function, ... t. See also: defect defective title
defective title :: n. an apparent title to real property which fails ... so: chain of title defect defective
deficiency judgment :: n. a judgment for an amount not covered by the val ... o: foreclosure judicial foreclosure
et ux. :: (et uhks) n. abbreviation for the Latin words et u ... ression a chauvinistic anachronism.
defeasance :: n. an antiquated word for a document which termina ... d or contract if some event occurs.
contingent interest :: n. an interest in real property which, according t ... ontingent remainder future interest
executed :: 1) adj. to have been completed. (Example: "it is a ... a death sentence. See also: execute
for value received :: prep. a phrase used in a promissory note, a bill o ... hout stating what that payment was.
conveyance :: n. a generic term for any written document which t ... r Recorder of Deeds. See also: deed
court costs :: n. fees for expenses that the courts pass on to at ... ee also: cost bill prevailing party
covenant that runs with the land :: n. a promise contained in a deed to land or real e ... l future owners. See also: covenant
judgment creditor :: n. the winning plaintiff in a lawsuit to whom the ... 's rights judgment prevailing party
exception :: n. 1) a formal objection during trial ("We take ex ... cluded. See also: exception in deed
defect :: n. an imperfection, quite often so great that the ... See also: defective defective title
notice of default :: n. a notice to a borrower with property as securit ... notice of default. See also: notice
satisfaction of mortgage :: n. a document signed by a lender acknowledging tha ... id off the debt. See also: mortgage
secured transaction :: n. any loan or credit in which property is pledged ... d of trust lien mortgage pawn UCC-1
security interest :: n. generic term for the property rights of a lende ... : deed of trust lien mortgage UCC-1
seisin :: (sees-in) n. an old feudal term for having both po ... perty). See also: fee simple seized
satisfaction of judgment :: n. a document signed by a judgment creditor (the p ... ord. See also: abstract of judgment
rule against perpetuities :: n. the legal prohibition against tying up property ... . See also: restraint on alienation
record :: 1) v. (ree-cored) to put a document into the offic ... eeding race to the courthouse trial
recording acts :: n. the statutes of each state which established th ... ecorders of Deeds. See also: record
reentry :: n. taking back possession and going into real prop ... ages. See also: landlord and tenant
restraint on alienation :: n. an attempt in a deed or will to prevent the sal ... enant rule against perpetuities use
senior lien :: n. the first security interest (lien or claim) pla ... rtgage race to the courthouse UCC-1
springing interest :: n. a future right to title to real property create ... lso: future interest interest title
title search :: n. the examination of county records for the prope ... e escrow lien title title insurance
uxor :: n. Latin for "wife." In deeds and documents the te ... man and not worthy of being named.
vested remainder :: n. the absolute right to receive title after a pre ... pass to him. See also: vest vested
quo warranto :: (kwoh wahr-rahn-toe) n. the name for a writ (order ... ticles). See also: corporation writ
title report :: n. the written analysis of the status of title to ... lso: abstract title title insurance
title insurance :: n. a policy issued by an insurance company guarant ... : chain of title title title search
subordination agreement :: n. a written contract in which a lender who has se ... ty records. See also: subordination
tenement :: n. 1) a term found in older deeds or in boiler-pla ... d by stairways. See also: structure
title :: n. 1) ownership of real property or personal prope ... ink slip real property title search
reconveyance :: n. in those states which use deeds of trust as a m ... conveyance. See also: deed of trust
real estate investment trust :: n. nicknamed REIT, a real estate investment organi ... its upon sale-if there is a profit.
muniment of title :: n. documentary evidence of title to real property. ... also: deed quiet title action title
notary public :: n. a person authorized by the state in which the p ... he state which appoints the notary.
notice :: n. 1) information, usually in writing in all legal ... Thirty-day notice three-day notice
condition precedent :: n. 1) in a contract, an event which must take plac ... o the property. See also: condition
mortgage :: n. a document in which the owner pledges his/her/i ... losure notice of default trust deed
metes and bounds :: (meets and bounds) n. a surveyor's description of ... of a parcel or lot are first drawn.
jurat :: (jur-at) n. Latin for "been sworn," the portion of ... wledgment declaration notary public
lien :: n. any official claim or charge against property o ... ord's lien mechanic's lien mortgage
marketable title :: n. the title to real property which has no encumbr ... e. See also: contract real property
omission :: n. 1) failure to perform an act agreed to, where t ... of contract negligence reformation
patent defect :: n. an obvious flaw in a product or a document (suc ... he property description in a deed).
promissory note :: n. a written promise by a person (variously called ... lso: interest obligee obligor usury
public easement :: n. the right of the general public to use certain ... lso: easement prescriptive easement
public record :: n. any information, minutes, files, accounts or ot ... l judgment are both public records.
race to the courthouse :: n. slang for the rule that the first deed, deed of ... e also: deed judgment lien mortgage
priority :: n. the right to be first or ahead of the rights or ... (in the "race to the courthouse").
prevailing party :: n. the winner in a lawsuit. Many contracts, leases ... ed before or after trial has begun.
perjurer :: n. a person who intentionally lies while under an ... alse information. See also: perjury
perjury :: n. the crime of intentionally lying after being du ... ly made a mistake or misunderstood.
preference :: n. in bankruptcy, the payment of a debt to one cre ... nds or assets. See also: bankruptcy
judicial foreclosure :: n. a judgment by a court in favor of foreclosure o ... deed of trust foreclosure mortgage
default :: 1) n. failure to respond to a summons and complain ... default judgment notice of default
acknowledge :: v. 1) generally to admit something, whether bad, g ... recording. See also: acknowledgment
acknowledgment :: n. the section at the end of a document where a no ... me leases and various other papers.
abstract of title :: n. the written report on a title search which show ... e also: chain of title title report
illegal immigrant :: n. an alien (non-citizen) who has entered the Unit ... ion date of a visa. See also: alien
child custody :: n. a court's determination of which parent, relati ... pport custody divorce joint custody
after-acquired property :: n. 1) personal or real property acquired by a debt ... lso: bankruptcy secured transaction
color of title :: n. the appearance of having title to personal or r ... rty based on this "color of title."
cloud on title (cloud) :: n. an actual or apparent outstanding claim on the ... ion reconveyance title title report
closing :: n. the final step in the sale and purchase of real ... company, escrow holder or attorney.
bail bond :: n. a bond provided by an insurance company through ... urned. See also: bail bail bondsman
chain of title :: n. the succession of title ownership to real prope ... title conveyance foreclosure title
after-acquired title :: n. title to property acquired after the owner atte ... ed title goes automatically to Sam.
attorney-in-fact :: n. someone specifically named by another through a ... cument. See also: power of attorney
quitclaim deed :: n. a real property deed which transfers (conveys) ... also: convey deed grant deed title
warranty deed :: n. a deed to real property which guarantees that t ... : grant deed quitclaim deed warrant
grant deed :: n. the document which transfers title to real prop ... rant grantee grantor quitclaim deed
breach :: 1) n. literally, a break. A breach may be a failur ... breach of trust breach of warranty
bait and switch :: n. a dishonest sales practice in which a business ... rants the costs of a separate suit.
attorney :: n. 1) an agent or someone authorized to act for an ... ialize. See also: court reciprocity
authority :: n. permission, a right coupled with the power to d ... rize ostensible authority principal
Bill of Rights :: n. the first ten amendments to the federal Constit ... ved to the states or to the people.
consumer protection laws :: n. almost all states and the federal government ha ... rranty product liability securities
exclusionary rule :: n. the rule that evidence secured by illegal means ... e poisonous tree motion to suppress
exemplary damages :: n. often called punitive damages, these are damage ... See also: damages punitive damages
damages :: n. the amount of money which a plaintiff (the pers ... liquidated damages special damages
Bachelor of Laws :: n. the degree in law from a law school, abbreviate ... troactively. See also: Juris Doctor
citation :: n. 1) a notice to appear in court due to the proba ... se is not in point." See also: cite
caveat emptor :: (kah-vee-ott emptor) Latin for "let the buyer bewa ... See also: consumer protection laws
certiorari :: n. (sersh-oh-rare-ee) a writ (order) of a higher c ... cedents (previously decided cases).
discretion :: n. the power of a judge, public official or a priv ... t a variance to a zoning ordinance.
demurrer :: n. (dee-muhr-ur) a written response to a complaint ... demurrer. See also: motion pleading
diversion :: n. in criminal procedure, a system for giving a ch ... second offense. See also: probation
divorce :: 1) n. the termination of a marriage by legal actio ... y separate property spousal support
election of remedies :: n. an outmoded requirement that if a plaintiff (pa ... dence has not been fully presented.
extenuating circumstances :: n. surrounding factors (sometimes called mitigatio ... See also: mitigating circumstances
cruelty :: n. the intentional and malicious infliction of phy ... ruel and unusual punishment divorce
bigamy :: n. the condition of having two wives or two husban ... d to several husbands is polyandry.
bifurcate :: v. the order or ruling of a judge that one issue i ... is necessary. See also: bifurcation
bribery :: n. the crime of giving or taking money or some oth ... s which are against company policy.
enjoin :: v. for a court to order that someone either do a s ... so: injunction temporary injunction
court of law :: n. any tribunal within a judicial system. Under En ... aw. See also: chancery court equity
arrest :: v. 1) to take or hold a suspected criminal with le ... anda warning probable cause warrant
jump bail :: v. to fail to appear for a court appearance after ... also: bail bail bond bail bondsman
seizure :: n. the taking by law enforcement officers of poten ... e search and seizure search warrant
self-defense :: n. the use of reasonable force to protect oneself ... ndalism. See also: assault homicide
approach the witness :: v. a request by an attorney to the judge for permi ... t, and it is almost always granted.
search and seizure :: n. examination of a person's premises (residence, ... robable cause search search warrant
scrivener :: n. a person who writes a document for another, usu ... r practicing law without a license.
search :: v. 1) to examine another's premises (including a v ... e search and seizure search warrant
stop and frisk :: n. a law enforcement officer's search for a weapon ... h search and seizure search warrant
tainted evidence :: n. in a criminal trial, information which has been ... e search and seizure search warrant
alimony :: n. support paid by one ex-spouse to the other as o ... ild support divorce spousal support
adequate remedy :: n. a remedy (money or performance) awarded by a co ... es it, giving cause for his arrest.
amnesty :: n. a blanket abolition of an offense by the govern ... rget the offenses. See also: pardon
unreasonable search and seizure :: n. search of an individual or his/her premises (in ... e probable cause search and seizure
Uniform Commercial Code :: n. a set of statutes governing the conduct of busi ... s except Louisiana. See also: UCC-1
product liability :: n. the responsibility of manufacturers, distributo ... e known. See also: warrant warranty
probable cause :: n. sufficient reason based upon known facts to bel ... of Rights search search and seizure
hot pursuit :: n. when a law enforcement officer is so close behi ... sh pursuit. See also: fresh pursuit
implied :: adj., adv. referring to circumstances, conduct or ... nt implied consent implied warranty
frisk :: v. quickly patting down the clothes of a possible ... k women and men officers frisk men.
fresh pursuit :: n. immediate chase of a suspected criminal by a la ... hot pursuit. See also: hot pursuit
false arrest :: n. physically detaining someone without the legal ... sment. See also: false imprisonment
equal opportunity :: 1) n. a right supposedly guaranteed by both federa ... be so. See also: affirmative action
jurisdiction :: n. the authority given by law to a court to try ca ... Superior Court Supreme Court venue
palimony :: n. a substitute for alimony in cases in which the ... the relationship. See also: alimony
plain view doctrine :: n. the rule that a law enforcement officer may mak ... : search and seizure search warrant
official :: 1) adj. referring to an act, document or anything ... tion or business. See also: officer
nuisance :: n. the unreasonable, unwarranted and/or unlawful u ... evening). See also: public nuisance
latent defect :: n. a hidden flaw, weakness or imperfection in an a ... warranty product liability warranty
extradition :: n. the surrender by one state or country of a pers ... ty. See also: fugitive from justice
habeas corpus :: (hay-bee-us core-puss) n. Latin for "you have the ... nality of a state court conviction.
reciprocity :: n. mutual exchange of privileges between states, n ... any large states refuse to give it.
quiet title action :: n. a lawsuit to establish a party's title to real ... opposition. See also: notice title
regulations :: n. rules and administrative codes issued by govern ... es usually have similar procedures.
release :: 1) v. to give up a right as releasing one from his ... the writing that grants a release.
release on one's own recognizance :: v. for a judge to allow a criminal defendant pre-t ... ourtroom slang. See also: bail O.R.
pro hac vice :: : (proh hock vee-chay) prep. Latin for "this time ... association with a local attorney.
power of attorney :: n. a written document signed by a person giving an ... y, as in a real estate transaction.
pardon :: 1) v. to use the executive power of a Governor or ... also: amnesty commutation reprieve
own recognizance :: (O.R.) n. the basis for a judge allowing a person ... n recognizance. See also: bail O.R.
patent :: 1) adj. obvious. Used in such expressions as a "pa ... patent infringement patent pending
patent pending :: n. often abbreviated to "pat. pend." or "pat. pend ... yet been granted. See also: patent
possibility of a reverter :: n. the potential that the title to a real property ... further issue. See also: reversion
remedy :: n. the means to achieve justice in any matter in w ... gment provisional remedy settlement
restitution :: n. 1) returning to the proper owner property or th ... her a shorter sentence than normal.
trespass :: n. entering another person's property without perm ... for an illegal purpose is a crime.
tax :: n. a governmental assessment (charge) upon propert ... unified estate and gift tax use tax
variance :: n. 1) an exception to a zoning ordinance, authoriz ... process." See also: dismissal proof
Workers' Compensation Acts :: n. state statutes which establish liability of emp ... rs' compensation insurance company.
ad litem :: adj. legal Latin meaning "for the purposes of the ... of age. See also: guardian ad litem
Supreme Court :: n. 1) the highest court in the United States, whic ... rt in other states. See also: court
stock option :: n. the right to purchase stock in the future at a ... hares. See also: option share stock
review :: n. the judicial consideration of a lower court jud ... ate court reversal reversible error
retrial :: n. a new trial granted upon the motion of the losi ... al or reversed by an appeals court.
right of way :: n. 1) a pathway or road with a specific descriptio ... s easement egress floating easement
severance :: n. 1) a separating by court order, such as separat ... le a potential claim for discharge.
shortening time :: n. an order of the court in response to the motion ... e notice is served within 24 hours.
order to show cause :: n. a judge's written mandate that a party appear i ... vernmental agency. See also: O.S.C.
nunc pro tunc :: (nuhnk proh tuhnk) adj. Latin for "now for then," ... r actuality of a bigamous marriage.
inchoate :: adj. or adv. referring to something which has begu ... ract which has not been formalized.
immunity :: n. exemption from penalties, payments or legal req ... ws. See also: governmental immunity
incompatible :: adj. 1) inconsistent. 2) unmatching. 3) unable to ... ch other. See also: incompatibility
injunction :: n. a writ (order) issued by a court ordering someo ... t. See also: injunctive relief writ
injunctive relief :: n. a court-ordered act or prohibition against an a ... t injunction restraining order writ
illegal :: 1) adj. in violation of statute, regulation or ord ... . See also: alien illegal immigrant
harassment :: (either harris-meant or huh-rass-meant) n. the act ... See also: harass sexual harassment
ex parte :: (ex par-tay, but popularly, ex party) adj. Latin m ... and place of any ex parte hearing.
error :: n. a mistake by a judge in procedure or in substan ... or. See also: harmless error remand
excessive bail :: n. an amount of bail ordered posted by an accused ... ppeal for reduction. See also: bail
extension :: n. granting of a specific amount of extra time to ... he original expiration of the term.
franchise :: 1) n. a right granted by the government to a perso ... on property, income or profits tax.
interest :: n. 1) any and all, partial or total right to prope ... nal property real property standing
interlocutory decree :: n. a court judgment which is temporary and not int ... ppeared to waste the parties' time.
motion :: n. a formal request made to a judge for an order o ... g, an oral motion may be permitted.
monopoly :: n. a business or inter-related group of businesses ... ust laws license restraint of trade
motion for a new trial :: n. a request made by the loser for the case to be ... hstanding the verdict motion N.O.V.
N.O.V. :: adj. shorthand acronym of Latin for non obstante v ... notwithstanding the verdict verdic
nominee :: n. 1) a person or entity who is requested or named ... ic office. See also: agent executor
merger :: n. 1) in corporate law, the joining together of tw ... and taking one, and wife the other.
mental cruelty :: n. a term, rapidly going out of fashion and out of ... history. See also: cruelty divorce
irreconcilable differences :: n. the usual basis for granting a divorce (dissolu ... See also: divorce no fault divorce
interstate commerce :: n. commercial trade, business, movement of goods o ... and the I.C.C. may soon be history.
Juris Doctor :: (J.D.) n. the law degree granted upon graduation b ... tles a person to a graduate degree.
levy :: 1) v. to seize (take) property upon a writ of exec ... heriff's sale tax writ of execution
license :: 1) n. governmental permission to perform a particu ... eement. See also: licensee licensor
equitable estoppel :: n. where a court will not grant a judgment or othe ... also: clean hands doctrine estoppel