Legal Terms Starting with A
Abandonment
The voluntary relinquishment of ownership, rights, or property without transferring them to another party. In family law, refers to desertion of spouse or children.
Family LawAbatement
The reduction or elimination of a tax, debt, or legal claim. Also refers to the suspension or termination of a legal proceeding.
Tax LawAbstract of Title
A summary of the legal history of a property's ownership, including all transfers, liens, and encumbrances.
Real EstateAcceptance
Agreement to the terms of an offer, creating a binding contract. Must be communicated to the offeror to be valid.
Contract LawAccessory
A person who assists in the commission of a crime but is not present during its execution. Can be before or after the fact.
Criminal LawAccord and Satisfaction
An agreement to settle a dispute where one party accepts less than what was originally owed as full payment.
Contract LawAcquittal
A verdict of not guilty in a criminal trial, or a judge's ruling that insufficient evidence exists to convict.
Criminal LawAct of God
An unforeseeable natural event beyond human control that may excuse performance of a contract or liability.
Contract LawActual Damages
Compensation for proven losses directly resulting from wrongful conduct, including economic and non-economic harm.
Civil LitigationAdjudication
The legal process of resolving a dispute through a court judgment or decision by a judge or administrative body.
Civil ProcedureAdministrative Law
The body of law governing administrative agencies' powers, procedures, and judicial review of their actions.
Government LawAdmissible Evidence
Evidence that meets legal requirements and can be presented in court to help prove or disprove facts in a case.
Evidence LawAdoption
The legal process of permanently transferring parental rights and responsibilities from biological to adoptive parents.
Family LawAdvance Directive
Legal documents specifying medical treatment preferences if one becomes unable to make decisions, including living wills.
Healthcare LawAdverse Possession
Acquiring property ownership through continuous, open, hostile occupation for a statutory period without owner permission.
Property LawAffidavit
A written statement of facts sworn to be true under oath before a notary public or authorized official.
Civil ProcedureAffirmative Defense
A defense strategy admitting the act occurred but providing legal justification or excuse that negates liability.
LitigationAgency
A legal relationship where one person (agent) acts on behalf of another (principal) with authority to bind them.
Business LawAlienation of Affection
A tort claim against a third party for willfully interfering with a marital relationship, causing loss of affection.
Family LawAlimony
Court-ordered financial support paid by one spouse to another after divorce or separation. Also called spousal support.
Family LawAlternative Dispute Resolution
Methods of resolving disputes outside court, including mediation, arbitration, and negotiation.
Dispute ResolutionAmicus Curiae
"Friend of the court" - a non-party who provides information or expertise to assist the court in deciding a case.
Civil ProcedureAnnulment
A legal declaration that a marriage is void, as if it never existed, due to fundamental defects at the time of marriage.
Family LawAnswer
A defendant's formal written response to a plaintiff's complaint, admitting or denying allegations and raising defenses.
Civil ProcedureAppeal
A request to a higher court to review and reverse a lower court's decision based on legal errors.
Appellate LawAppellant
The party who files an appeal challenging a lower court's decision. Also called the petitioner in some courts.
Appellate LawArbitration
A form of alternative dispute resolution where a neutral arbitrator makes a binding decision after hearing both sides.
Dispute ResolutionArraignment
A criminal defendant's first court appearance where charges are read and the defendant enters a plea.
Criminal ProcedureArrest Warrant
A court order authorizing law enforcement to arrest a specific person based on probable cause of criminal activity.
Criminal LawArticles of Incorporation
The legal document filed with a state to create a corporation, containing basic information about the company.
Business LawAssault
The intentional threat or attempt to cause physical harm that creates reasonable fear of imminent bodily injury.
Criminal LawAsset
Property of value owned by a person or entity, including cash, investments, real estate, and personal property.
Financial LawAssignment
The transfer of rights, property, or benefits from one party to another, commonly used in contracts and property law.
Contract LawAssumption of Risk
A defense where defendant argues plaintiff voluntarily accepted known dangers, barring recovery for resulting injuries.
Tort LawAttachment
The legal seizure of property to secure a judgment or satisfy a debt before final court determination.
Civil ProcedureAttorney-Client Privilege
The legal protection of confidential communications between an attorney and client from disclosure in legal proceedings.
Professional EthicsAttorney-in-Fact
A person authorized to act on another's behalf through a power of attorney, not necessarily a licensed attorney.
Estate PlanningAttractive Nuisance
A dangerous condition on property that may attract and injure children, creating liability even for trespassers.
Premises LiabilityAutomatic Stay
The immediate halt of collection activities and legal proceedings against a debtor upon filing bankruptcy.
Bankruptcy Law