Know the laws your rights
abstract of trust
A condensed version of a living trust document, which leaves out details of what is in the trust and the identity of the beneficiaries. You can show an abstract of trust to a financial organization or other institution to prove tha
Continue reading “abstract of trust”
ADEA
See Age Discrimination in Employment Act.
See Topic: Employee Rights Social Security & Retirement Business & Human Resources
Continue reading “ADEA”
adultery
Consensual sexual relations by a married person with someone other than his or her spouse. In many states, adultery is technically a crime, though people are rarely prosecuted for it. In states that have retained fault grounds for divorce,
Continue reading “adultery”
Allen charge
See dynamite charge.
See Topic: Go to Court or Mediate Criminal Law
Continue reading “Allen charge”
appraisal
A determination of the value of something, such as a house, jewelry or stock. A professional appraiser — a qualified, disinterested expert — makes an estimate by examining the property, and looking at the initial purchase price and compa
Continue reading “appraisal”
assignment (of copyright)
The unconditional transfer of all rights contained in a copyright from the owner to another person or entity.
See Topic: Trademarks Copyright
Continue reading “assignment of copyright”
automatic stay
An injunction automatically issued by the bankruptcy court when a debtor files for bankruptcy. The automatic stay prohibits most creditor collection activities, such as filing or continuing lawsuits, making written requests for paym
Continue reading “automatic stay”
bench
The seat (usually a comfy chair rather than a bench) where a judge sits in the courtroom during a trial or hearing. Sometimes the word “”bench”” is used in place of the word “”judge”” — for example, someone might say she wants a bench trial, mean
Continue reading “bench”
bond
(1) A written agreement purchased from a bonding company that guarantees a person will properly carry out a specific act, such as managing funds, showing up in court, providing good title to a piece of real estate or completing a construction p
Continue reading “bond”
capitalized interest
The accrued interest that is added to the principal balance of a loan while you are not making payments or your payments are insufficient to cover both the principal and interest due. When this happens, you end up paying interes
Continue reading “capitalized interest”