parent :: n. the lawful and natural father or mother of a pe ... natural parent. See also: adoption
apparent authority :: n. the appearance of being the agent of another (e ... e also: agency ostensible authority
rent :: 1) v. to hire an object or real property for a per ... ice. See also: lease month-to-month
rental value :: n. the amount which would be paid for rental of si ... alimony to be paid. See also: rent
parental neglect :: n. a crime consisting of acts or omissions of a pa ... usive or sexually predatory person.
in loco parentis :: prep. (in loh-coh pah-rent-iss) Latin for "instead ... 5, if and when he needs legal help.
concurrent sentences :: n. sentences for more than one crime which are to ... ith the longest period controlling.
heir apparent :: n. the person who is expected to receive a share o ... isinherited by will. See also: heir
notice :: n. 1) information, usually in writing in all legal ... Thirty-day notice three-day notice
notice to quit :: n. the notice given by a landlord (owner) to a ten ... h-to-month notice unlawful detainer
occupational hazard :: n. a danger or risk inherent in certain employment ... e of death or injury while at work.
multiplicity of suits :: n. several actual or potential lawsuits which shou ... e can order the cases consolidated.
multifarious :: adj., adv. reference to a lawsuit in which either ... ed misjoinder. See also: misjoinder
misjoinder :: n. the inclusion of parties (plaintiffs or defenda ... ent transactions. See also: joinder
mitigation of damages :: n. the requirement that someone injured by another ... he lease) to mitigate his/her loss.
month-to-month :: adj. referring to a tenancy in which the tenant pa ... e also: landlord and tenant tenancy
moot court :: n. law school exercise in which students argue bot ... fferent law schools. See also: moot
officer :: n. 1) a high-level management official of a corpor ... deputy sheriff or federal marshal.
opinion :: n. the explanation of a court's judgment. When a t ... which the author is not specified.
parens patriae :: (paa-rens pat-tree-eye) n. Latin for "father of hi ... pport custody divorce guardian ward
par :: n. 1) an equal level. 2) the face value of a stock ... common stock preferred stock stock
patent :: 1) adj. obvious. Used in such expressions as a "pa ... patent infringement patent pending
passive :: adj. referring to being inactive. A "passive trust ... ment and interest on bank accounts.
partial breach :: n. the failure to meet a term of a contract which ... g in the missing or expected items.
overt act :: n. in criminal law, an action which might be innoc ... terrorist bombing of that building.
peeping tom :: n. a person who stealthily peeks into windows, hol ... n the basis of invasion of privacy.
orphan :: n. a child, particularly a minor, whose two natura ... an a child who has lost one parent.
ostensible agent :: n. a person who has been given the appearance of b ... rent authority ostensible authority
merger :: n. 1) in corporate law, the joining together of tw ... and taking one, and wife the other.
ostensible authority :: n. apparent authority to do something or represent ... apparent authority ostensible agent
partner :: n. 1) one of the co-owners and investors in a "par ... ner limited partnership partnership
marriage :: n. the joining of a male and female in matrimony b ... of time without legal formalities.
landlord and tenant :: n. the name for the area of law concerning renting ... ord lease lessee lessor rent tenant
landlord :: n. a person who owns real property and rents or le ... so: lease lessee lessor rent tenant
landlord's lien :: n. the right of a landlord to sell abandoned perso ... to the ex-tenant and a public sale.
larceny :: n. the crime of taking the goods of another person ... : grand larceny petty larceny theft
lease :: 1) n. a written agreement in which the owner of pr ... triple net lease unlawful detainer
landlady :: n. female of landlord or owner of real property fr ... rents or leases. See also: landlord
kidnapping :: (also spelled kidnaping) n. the taking of a person ... but now applies to adults as well.
joint tenancy :: n. a crucial relationship in the ownership of real ... ty property tenancy in common title
joint custody :: n. in divorce actions, a decision by the court (of ... em. See also: child custody divorce
judgment notwithstanding the verdict :: (N.O.V.) n. reversal of a jury's verdict by the tr ... veredicto. See also: N.O.V. verdict
jurisdiction :: n. the authority given by law to a court to try ca ... Superior Court Supreme Court venue
juvenile court :: n. a special court or department of a trial court ... See also: court juvenile delinquent
leasehold :: n. the real estate which is the subject of a lease ... sehold. See also: condominium lease
legal age :: n. the age at which a person is responsible for hi ... so: infancy juvenile court minority
loss of use :: n. the inability to use an automobile, premises or ... ding or premises. See also: damages
life estate :: n. the right to use or occupy real property for on ... hter, Sadie, will own the property.
manslaughter :: n. the unlawful killing of another person without ... laughter. See also: homicide murder
per se :: (purr say) adj. Latin for "by itself," meaning inh ... e statement. See also: libel per se
master :: n. 1) employer, in the area of law known as "maste ... ter and servant respondeat superior
lien :: n. any official claim or charge against property o ... ord's lien mechanic's lien mortgage
liberty :: n. freedom from restraint and the power to follow ... the benefit of the general public.
legitimate :: adj., adv1) legal, proper, real. 2) referring to a ... 3) v. to make proper and/or legal.
legal separation :: n. a court-decreed right to live apart, with the r ... n is rarely used. See also: divorce
lessee :: n. the person renting property under a written lea ... lord and tenant lease lessor tenant
lessor :: n. the owner of real property who rents it to a le ... lord and tenant lease lessee tenant
let :: v. 1) to allow or permit. This is distinguished fr ... rson. See also: lease rent sublease
material witness :: n. a person who apparently has information about t ... e. See also: material trial witness
pretermitted heir :: n. the child of a person who has written a will in ... cified $10,000 each. See also: heir
tenancy at sufferance :: n. a "hold-over" tenancy after a lease has expired ... y tenancy at will unlawful detainer
Supreme Court :: n. 1) the highest court in the United States, whic ... rt in other states. See also: court
tenancy in common :: n. title to property (usually real property, but i ... on. See also: joint tenancy tenancy
tenant :: n. a person who occupies real property owned by an ... rental payments. See also: tenancy
testamentary capacity :: n. having the mental competency to execute a will ... lso: competent undue influence will
successive sentences :: n. in criminal law, the imposition of the penalty ... uld be 15 years. See also: sentence
substantive law :: n. law which establishes principles and creates an ... are conducted. See also: procedure
strict construction :: (narrow construction) n. interpreting the Constitu ... See also: constitution construction
statutory rape :: n. sexual intercourse with a female below the lega ... majority minority molestation rape
strict liability :: n. automatic responsibility (without having to pro ... bility negligence res ipsa loquitur
sublease :: n. the lease to another of all or a portion of pre ... and sublease. See also: lease rent
subrogor :: n. a person or entity that transfers his/her/its l ... ges. See also: subrogation subrogee
Thirty-day notice :: n. a notice by a landlord to a tenant on a month-t ... e also: landlord and tenant service
three-day notice :: n. a notice to pay delinquent rent or quit (leave ... nd tenant service unlawful detainer
voting trust :: n. a trust which solicits vote proxies of sharehol ... ation proxy shareholder stockholder
venue :: n. 1) the proper or most convenient location for t ... ion. See also: forum non conveniens
ward :: n. 1) a person (usually a minor) who has a guardia ... ouncil district. See also: guardian
writ of coram nobis :: : (writ of core-uhm noh-bis) n. from Latin for "in ... ment if known at the time of trial.
wrongful death :: n. the death of a human being as the result of a w ... ual beneficiaries (family members).
unlawful detainer :: n. 1) keeping possession of real property without ... Thirty-day notice three-day notice
ultrahazardous activity :: n. an action or process which is so inherently dan ... sional auto race on public streets.
trade name :: n. a name of a business or one of its products whi ... t is different. See also: trademark
title search :: n. the examination of county records for the prope ... e escrow lien title title insurance
transfer agent :: n. a person or company retained by a corporation t ... stockbroker. See also: share stock
treble damages :: n. tripling damages allowed by state statute in ce ... damage penalties. See also: damages
triple net lease :: n. a lease in which the lessee's (tenant's) rent i ... ers and malls. See also: lease rent
standing :: n. the right to file a lawsuit or file a petition ... so: actual controversy jurisdiction
spot zoning :: n. a provision in a general plan which benefits a ... . See also: grandfathered in zoning
quorum :: n. the number of people required to be present bef ... ly set by statute. See also: bylaws
question of law :: n. an issue arising in a lawsuit or criminal prose ... udge question of fact trier of fact
rape :: 1) n. the crime of sexual intercourse (with actual ... See also: date rape statutory rape
real property :: n. 1) all land, structures, firmly attached and in ... onal property real estate reversion
receiver :: n. 1) a neutral person (often a professional trust ... owing they were obtained illegally.
quasi-criminal :: adj. a reference to a court's right to punish for ... defendant. See also: criminal quasi
pro rata :: (proh rat-ah or proh ray-tah) adj. from Latin for ... e year in which he/she holds title.
presumption :: n. a rule of law which permits a court to assume a ... resumption at all, but a certainty.
post :: v. 1) to place a notice on the entrance or a promi ... or recording a payment. 4) to mail.
joint and several :: adj. referring to a debt or a judgment for neglige ... ution contributory negligence joint
prima facie :: : (pry-mah fay-shah) adj. Latin for "at first look ... t" case. See also: prima facie case
primogeniture :: n. from Latin for "first born," the ancient rule f ... oes not exist in the United States.
receivership :: n. the process of appointment by a court of a rece ... n receivership." See also: receiver
recoupment :: n. the right of a defendant in a lawsuit to demand ... ter, including outside the lawsuit.
sentence :: 1) n. the punishment given to a person convicted o ... ence restitution suspended sentence
self-defense :: n. the use of reasonable force to protect oneself ... ndalism. See also: assault homicide
severable contract :: n. an agreement which is made up of several separa ... e also: breach of contract contract
short cause :: n. a lawsuit which is estimated by the parties (us ... l be reset later as a "long cause."
special appearance :: n. the representation by an attorney of a person i ... anged. See also: general appearance
security deposit :: n. a payment required by a landlord from a tenant ... lso: landlord and tenant lease rent
second degree murder :: n. a non-premeditated killing, resulting from an a ... t degree murder manslaughter murder
reentry :: n. taking back possession and going into real prop ... ages. See also: landlord and tenant
reformation :: n. the correction or change of an existing documen ... neral partner sues for reformation.
remainder :: n. in real property law, the interest in real prop ... ed reversion title vested remainder
rule :: 1) v. to decide a legal question, by a court, as i ... ee also: regulations rules of court
per stirpes :: (purr stir-peas) adj. Latin for "by roots," by rep ... descent and distribution trust will
inter vivos trust :: n. a trust created by a writing (declaration of tr ... nter vivos testamentary trust trust
child custody :: n. a court's determination of which parent, relati ... pport custody divorce joint custody
carryback :: n. in taxation accounting, using a current tax yea ... tax liability. See also: carryover
child support :: n. court-ordered funds to be paid by one parent to ... ild custody divorce spousal support
circuit courts :: n. a movable court in which the judge holds court ... alled the Circuit Courts of Appeal.
citizen :: n. person who by place of birth, nationality of on ... look this duality of nationalities.
capitalized value :: n. anticipated earnings which are discounted (give ... as favorably as expected or hoped.
bulk sales acts :: n. state laws (spelled out in the Uniform Commerci ... g without paying current creditors.
bias :: n. the predisposition of a judge, arbitrator, pros ... ire. See also: hometowned voir dire
basis :: n. the original cost of an asset to be used to det ... ssistance. See also: adjusted basis
boilerplate :: n., adj. slang for provisions in a contract, form ... favor and/or protect the provider.
boycott :: n. organized refusal to purchase products or patro ... e laws. See also: secondary boycott
breach of contract :: n. failing to perform any term of a contract, writ ... breach breach specific performance
cloud on title (cloud) :: n. an actual or apparent outstanding claim on the ... ion reconveyance title title report
code :: n. a collection of written laws gathered together, ... utes or laws. See also: law statute
counterpart :: n. in the law of contracts, a written paper which ... rent localities. See also: contract
count :: n. each separate statement in a complaint which st ... also: cause of action common counts
court :: n. 1) the judge, as in "The court rules in favor o ... cost and wait of full court trials.
covenant :: 1) n. a promise in a written contract or a deed of ... o compete deed restrictive covenant
covenant that runs with the land :: n. a promise contained in a deed to land or real e ... l future owners. See also: covenant
contingent fee :: n. a fee to a lawyer which will be due and payable ... epend on the outcome are unethical.
consortium :: n. 1) a group of separate businesses or business p ... oney terms is a difficult question.
comity :: n. when one court defers to the jurisdiction of an ... of cases to which comity may apply.
collateral attack :: n. a legal action to challenge a ruling in another ... of paternity in the divorce action.
compounding a felony :: n. when a person injured by a felony (being shot, ... n most jurisdictions it is a crime.
conditional bequest :: n. in a will, a gift which will take place only if ... rries." See also: bequest executory
confidential communication :: n. certain written communications which can be kep ... privilege privileged communication
bankruptcy proceedings :: n. the bankruptcy procedure is: a) filing a petiti ... ankruptcy court claim in bankruptcy
bankruptcy :: n. a federal system of statutes and courts which p ... y proceedings trustee in bankruptcy
age discrimination :: n. an employer's unfair treatment of a current or ... men. See also: wrongful termination
advancement :: n. a gift made by a person to one of his or her ch ... tate gift in contemplation of death
agency :: n. the relationship of a person (called the agent) ... ondeat superior scope of employment
agent :: n. a person who is authorized to act for another ( ... issues. See also: agency authority
alien :: 1) n. a person who is not a citizen of the country ... 3) v. to convey title to property.
adoption :: n. the taking of a child into one's family, creati ... the child are met. See also: adopt
adopt :: v. 1) to take on the relationship of parent to chi ... nt in a lawsuit. See also: adoption
abduction :: n. the criminal taking away of a person by persuas ... g of children. See also: kidnapping
abandon :: v. to intentionally and permanently give up, surre ... lso: abandoned property abandonment
abortion :: n. the termination of pregnancy by various means, ... ed abortion continue in the future.
acknowledge :: v. 1) generally to admit something, whether bad, g ... recording. See also: acknowledgment
ad litem :: adj. legal Latin meaning "for the purposes of the ... of age. See also: guardian ad litem
appeal :: 1) v. to ask a higher court to reverse the decisio ... ng, as in "he has filed an appeal."
argumentative :: adj. the characterization of a question asked by t ... oody glove just walked over there?"
authority :: n. permission, a right coupled with the power to d ... rize ostensible authority principal
authorities :: n. 1) previous decisions by courts of appeal which ... also: brief cite decision precedent
back-to-back life sentences :: n. slang for consecutive life terms imposed by a j ... ther 25 years for a parole hearing.
bailee :: n. a person, also called a custodian, with whom so ... he goods. See also: bailment bailor
balance sheet :: n. the statement of the assets and the liabilities ... ctivity and health of the business.
Attorney General :: n. in each state and the federal government the hi ... izenry. See also: Solicitor General
assumption of risk :: n. 1) taking a chance in a potentially dangerous s ... d be damaged or prove unprofitable.
arrest :: v. 1) to take or hold a suspected criminal with le ... anda warning probable cause warrant
arrears :: n. money not paid when due, usually the sum of a s ... imes these are called "arrearages."
article :: n. a paragraph or section of any writing such as e ... or different sections of a statute.
assault :: 1) v. the threat or attempt to strike another, whe ... ult, including for mental distress.
asset :: n. generally any item of property that has monetar ... ill and rights to market a product.
cumulative sentence :: n. when a criminal defendant has been found guilty ... in a five-year term in the example.
custody :: n. 1) holding property under one's control. 2) law ... inor child. See also: child custody
guardian ad litem :: n. a person appointed by the court only to take le ... awsuit is filed. See also: ad litem
guardian :: n. a person who has been appointed by a judge to t ... torship. See also: conservator ward
habitable :: adj. referring to a residence that is safe and can ... rent. See also: landlord and tenant
half blood :: 1) adj. sharing one parent only. 2) n. a half brot ... icularly Native American and white.
head of household :: n. 1) in federal income tax law, the person filing ... n or daughter. 3) "head of family."
gift in contemplation of death :: n. (called a gift causa mortis by lawyers showing ... ift tax unified estate and gift tax
generation skipping :: adj., adv. referring to gifts made through trusts ... to a grandchild without a gift tax.
foster child :: n. a child without parental support and protection ... local government or a state agency.
forgery :: n. 1) the crime of creating a false document, alte ... See also: counterfeit forger fraud
fraud :: n. the intentional use of deceit, a trick or some ... audulent conveyance intrinsic fraud
frustration of purpose :: n. sometimes called commercial frustration, when u ... n. See also: commercial frustration
general plan :: n. a plan of a city, county or area which establis ... uture development. See also: zoning
heir :: n. one who acquires property upon the death of ano ... y pretermitted heir succession will
holdover tenancy :: n. the situation when a tenant of real estate cont ... to a lawsuit for unlawful detainer.
indecent exposure :: n. the crime of displaying one's genitalia to one ... d give the exposer a sexual charge.
incorporate :: v. 1) to obtain an official charter or articles of ... te by reference incorporation stock
infancy :: n. although the popular use of the word means the ... nority. See also: ad litem minority
inherit :: v. to receive all or a portion of the estate of an ... intestacy intestate succession will
a.k.a. :: prep. abbreviation for "also known as" when someon ... nodgrass, a.k.a. "Snuffy the Snod."
incontrovertible evidence :: n. evidence introduced to prove a fact in a trial ... erson is not the parent of a child.
income :: n. money, goods or other economic benefit received ... ernment and most state governments.
impute :: v. 1) to attach to a person responsibility (and th ... also. See also: vicarious liability
implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing :: n. a general assumption of the law of contracts, t ... -long employment. See also: implied
in rem :: adj. from Latin "against or about a thing," referr ... cular person. See also: in personam
incest :: n. sexual intercourse between close blood relative ... ily genes carrying such weaknesses.
incidental beneficiary :: n. someone who obtains a benefit as the result of ... parent. See also: beneficiary trust
forfeit :: v. to lose property or rights involuntarily as a p ... drunk driving. See also: forfeiture
forensic :: 1) adj. from Latin forensis for "belonging to the ... in legal matters, including trials.
disinherit :: v. to intentionally take actions to guarantee that ... rorem clause pretermitted heir will
descent :: n. the rules of inheritance established by law in ... on inheritance intestate succession
distinguish :: v. to argue that the rule in one appeals court dec ... arity (i.e. it is "distinguished").
diversity of citizenship :: n. when opposing parties in a lawsuit are citizens ... unt in controversy exceeds $10,000.
DNA :: n. scientifically, deoxyribonucleic acid, a chromo ... is strongly in favor of admission.
dependent :: 1) n. a person receiving support from another pers ... dent on the expert being available.
demand note :: n. a promissory note which is payable any time the ... allments. See also: promissory note
decriminalization :: n. the repeal or amendment of statutes which made ... gh clinics and other legal sources.
dangerous :: adj. unsafe, hazardous, fraught with risk. It can ... eapon's range. See also: negligence
deed of trust :: n. a document which pledges real property to secur ... : foreclosure mortgage reconveyance
defective title :: n. an apparent title to real property which fails ... so: chain of title defect defective
degree of kinship :: n. the level of relationship between two persons r ... there is no will. See also: descent
double jeopardy :: n. placing someone on trial a second time for an o ... that occurred thirty years earlier.
ejectment :: n. a lawsuit brought to remove a party who is occu ... o the property through her parents.
executive clemency :: n. the power of a President in federal criminal ca ... ernor. See also: commutation pardon
eviction :: n. a generic word for the act of expelling (kickin ... ve eviction lease unlawful detainer
expense :: n. in business accounting and business taxation, a ... ment. See also: capital expenditure
flight :: n. running away or hiding by a person officially a ... of avoiding arrest or prosecution.
foreign corporation :: n. a corporation which is incorporated under the l ... tate or Whoopee's designated agent.
estoppel :: n. a bar or impediment (obstruction) which preclud ... pel equitable estoppel estop laches
estate tax :: n. generally a federal tax on the transfer of a de ... commonly called an inheritance tax.
equal protection of the law :: n. the right of all persons to have the same acces ... laws." See also: due process of law
emancipation :: n. freeing a minor child from the control of paren ... vorced parent to pay child support.
equitable estoppel :: n. where a court will not grant a judgment or othe ... also: clean hands doctrine estoppel
equity :: n. 1) a venerable group of rights and procedures t ... ry enjoin equitable injunction writ
escalator clause :: n. a provision in a lease or other agreement in wh ... instead of inflation. See also: cap
jeopardy :: n. peril, particularly danger of being charged wit ... ar Evers. See also: double jeopardy