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: 78
recess :: n. a break in a trial or other court proceedings o ... t," which winds up the proceedings.
possession :: n. 1) any article, object, asset or property which ... ctive possession. See also: possess
peaceable possession :: n. in real estate, holding property without any ad ... to possession or title by another.
hostile possession :: n. occupancy of a piece of real property coupled w ... verse possession quiet title action
debtor in possession :: n. in bankruptcy proceedings when a debtor has fil ... n possession." See also: bankruptcy
adverse possession :: n. a means to acquire title to land through obviou ... o: possession prescriptive easement
possession of stolen goods :: n. the crime of possession of goods which one know ... e legal owner. See also: possession
constructive possession :: n. when a person does not have actual possession, ... possession. See also: constructive
session :: n. 1) a meeting (or "sitting") of a court for a pa ... pring Term" or the "October Term").
adjourn :: v. the final closing of a meeting, such as a conve ... ater time. See also: recess session
notorious possession :: n. occupation of real property or holding personal ... e is as if the person is the owner.
pour over will :: n. a will of a person who has already executed a t ... invalid trust. See also: trust will
prenuptial agreement :: n. also called an antenuptial agreement, a written ... been "taken" by a previous spouse.
property damage :: n. injury to real or personal property through ano ... l value. See also: damages property
property :: n. anything that is owned by a person or entity. P ... rty real property separate property
probate :: 1) n. the process of proving a will is valid and t ... e also: administrator executor will
possessory interest :: n. in real estate, the intent and right of a perso ... o: possess possession real property
pedophilia :: n. an obsession with children as sex objects. Over ... also: molestation pornography rape
owner :: n. one who has legal title or right to something. ... ke one a legal owner. See also: own
own :: v. to have legal title or right to something. Mere ... . Mere possession is not ownership.
ownership :: n. legal title coupled with exclusive legal right ... st in the same thing. See also: own
partner :: n. 1) one of the co-owners and investors in a "par ... ner limited partnership partnership
redeem :: v. to buy back, as when an owner who had mortgaged ... so: foreclosure mortgage redemption
possess :: v. to own, have title to, occupy, physically hold ... ng the estate. See also: possession
seisin :: (sees-in) n. an old feudal term for having both po ... perty). See also: fee simple seized
take :: v. to gain or obtain possession, including the rec ... eal property or stealing an object.
surrender :: v. 1) to turn over possession of real property, ei ... lf up to law enforcement officials.
subpena duces tecum :: : (suh-pea-nah dooh-chess-take-uhm or dooh-kess-ta ... ng a court order. See also: witness
term :: n. 1) in contracts or leases, a period of time, su ... nancy" is one term for "occupancy."
title :: n. 1) ownership of real property or personal prope ... ink slip real property title search
unlawful detainer :: n. 1) keeping possession of real property without ... Thirty-day notice three-day notice
trade secret :: n. a process, method, plan, formula or other infor ... e invention. See also: patent trade
strict liability :: n. automatic responsibility (without having to pro ... bility negligence res ipsa loquitur
stakeholder :: n. a person having in his/her possession (holding) ... ment or agreement. See also: escrow
ouster :: n. 1) the wrongful dispossession (putting out) of ... ainst his/her expectations or will.
riot :: n. 1) technically a turbulent and violent disturba ... to unlawful possession of firearms.
resulting trust :: n. a trust implied by law (as determined by a cour ... See also: constructive trust trust
seized :: (seised) n. 1) having ownership, commonly used in ... by force. See also: seisin seizure
sell :: v. to transfer possession and ownership of goods o ... of equivalent value. See also: sale
special appearance :: n. the representation by an attorney of a person i ... anged. See also: general appearance
sound mind and memory :: n. having an understanding of one's actions and re ... ee also: competent incompetent will
reentry :: n. taking back possession and going into real prop ... ages. See also: landlord and tenant
notice :: n. 1) information, usually in writing in all legal ... Thirty-day notice three-day notice
citation :: n. 1) a notice to appear in court due to the proba ... se is not in point." See also: cite
circuit courts :: n. a movable court in which the judge holds court ... alled the Circuit Courts of Appeal.
bill of sale :: n. a written statement attesting to the transfer ( ... ther provisions. See also: contract
constructive :: adj. a legal fiction for treating a situation as i ... ctive possession constructive trust
constructive trust :: n. when a person has title to property and/or take ... tence. See also: constructive trust
dereliction :: n. 1) abandoning possession, which is sometimes us ... is building up). See also: derelict
cumulative sentence :: n. when a criminal defendant has been found guilty ... in a five-year term in the example.
bearer paper :: n. negotiable instrument (e.g. a bond) which is pa ... sion (the bearer). See also: bearer
bankruptcy :: n. a federal system of statutes and courts which p ... y proceedings trustee in bankruptcy
minutes :: n. 1) the written record of meetings, particularly ... court reporter if recorded at all.
incest :: n. sexual intercourse between close blood relative ... ily genes carrying such weaknesses.
approach the bench :: v. an attorney's movement from the counsel table t ... ake a recess to go to the restroom.
abandon :: v. to intentionally and permanently give up, surre ... lso: abandoned property abandonment
abandoned property :: n. property left behind (often by a tenant) intent ... -use. See also: abandon abandonment
antenuptial (prenuptial) agreement :: n. a written contract between two people who are a ... ave been "taken" by a prior spouse.
all the estate I own :: n. a phrase from a poorly drafted will which means ... he will was written. See also: will
descent :: n. the rules of inheritance established by law in ... on inheritance intestate succession
descent and distribution :: n. the system of laws which determine who will inh ... nt inheritance intestate succession
holding :: 1) n. any ruling or decision of a court. 2) n. any ... 4) v. keeping in one's possession.
holder :: n. a general term for anyone in possession of prop ... older in due course promissory note
hearing :: n. any proceeding before a judge or other magistra ... e hearing preliminary hearing trial
hypothecate :: v. from Greek for "pledge," a generic term for usi ... sion. See also: secured transaction
intestate succession :: n. the distribution when a person dies without lea ... sion. See also: intestacy intestate
occupant :: n. 1) someone living in a residence or using premi ... gain ownership. See also: occupancy
occupancy :: n. 1) living in or using premises, as a tenant or ... ining ownership. See also: occupant
general appearance :: n. an attorney's representation of a client in cou ... case. See also: special appearance
forcible entry :: n. the crime of taking possession of a house or ot ... ce after having come in peacefully.
equitable lien :: n. a lien on property imposed by a court in order ... lso: constructive trust equity lien
divestiture :: n. the court-ordered or voluntary giving up of a p ... nopoly or other restraint of trade.
distress :: 1) n. the self-help taking of another's possession ... rice due to negative circumstances.
equity :: n. 1) a venerable group of rights and procedures t ... ry enjoin equitable injunction writ
estate :: n. 1) all that one owns in real estate and other a ... ife estate probate real estate will
execution :: n. 1) the act of getting an officer of the court t ... so: death penalty writ of execution
eviction :: n. a generic word for the act of expelling (kickin ... ve eviction lease unlawful detainer
occupation :: n. 1) fairly permanent trade, profession, employme ... of real property or use of a thing.