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A

Action / Lawsuit

A formal legal claim filed in court by one party against another to resolve a dispute.

Affidavit

A written statement made under oath and signed before a notary public or authorized officer.

Appeal

A request for a higher court to review the decision of a lower court.

Auto Accident

A collision involving motor vehicles that may lead to personal injury or property damage claims.

B

Beneficiary

A person or entity entitled to receive assets or benefits under a will, trust, or insurance policy.

C

Civil Case

A non-criminal legal dispute between private parties, such as over contracts, property, or personal injury.

Closing (Real Estate)

The final step in a real estate transaction when documents are signed and ownership is transferred.

Complaint

The written document that begins a civil lawsuit, outlining the plaintiff’s claims against the defendant.

Conservator

A person appointed by the court to manage the financial affairs of someone unable to do so.

Contract

A legally binding agreement between two or more parties that creates obligations enforceable by law.

Conviction

A formal finding by a court or jury that a defendant is guilty of a criminal offense.

D

Damages

Money awarded by a court to compensate someone for loss or injury caused by another’s actions.

Defendant

The person or party against whom a lawsuit or criminal charge is brought.

E

Estate

All the property, assets, and debts a person leaves behind at death.

Executor (Personal Representative)

The person named in a will to handle an estate after someone’s death.

Evidence

Information presented in court to help prove or disprove facts in a case.

F

Felony

A serious criminal offense that can result in imprisonment for more than one year.

Foreclosure

The legal process allowing a lender to sell property used as security for a loan when the borrower defaults.

H

Hearing

A court proceeding where parties present information or arguments to a judge.

L

Lien

A legal claim against property that must be paid or satisfied before the property can be sold.

Litigation

The process of resolving disputes through the court system.

M

Mediation

A process in which a neutral third party helps disputing parties reach an agreement.

Misdemeanor

A less serious criminal offense, often punishable by fines or less than one year of jail time.

N

Negligence

Failure to exercise reasonable care, resulting in harm to another person.

Notary Public

An official authorized to witness signatures and administer oaths on legal documents.

P

Petition

A formal written request to the court asking for specific action or relief.

Plaintiff

The person or party who starts a lawsuit by filing a complaint with the court.

Power of Attorney

A legal document giving someone authority to act on another person’s behalf in financial or medical matters.

Probate

The court process of validating a will and distributing a deceased person’s assets.

S

Settlement

An agreement between parties to resolve a case without a trial.

Statute

A written law enacted by the legislature.

Subpoena

A legal order requiring someone to appear in court or produce documents.

T

Trust

A legal arrangement where one party holds property for the benefit of another.

V

Venue

The proper geographic location where a legal case is heard.

W

Will

A legal document that states how a person’s property should be distributed after death.

Wrongful Death

A civil claim filed when someone’s death results from another’s negligent or wrongful act.