USA Law

Category: Civil law

  • Joint Tenancy

    Joint Tenancy in United States Plain-English Law Joint Tenancy as defined by Nolo’s Encyclopedia of Everyday Law (p. 437-455):A way for two or more people to share ownership of real estate or other property. When property is held in joint tenancy and one owner dies, the other owners […]

  • Joint Tenancy

    Joint Tenancy in United States Plain-English Law Joint Tenancy as defined by Nolo’s Encyclopedia of Everyday Law (p. 437-455):A way for two or more people to share ownership of real estate or other property. When property is held in joint tenancy and one owner dies, the other owners […]

  • Indenture

    Indenture in United States Indenture Definition A formal written instrument made between two or more persons in different interests, as opposed to a deed poll, which is one made by a single person, or by several having similar interests. Its name comes from a practice of indenting or […]

  • Inchoate

    Inchoate in United States Practical Information Note: Some of this information was last updated in 1982Begun but not completed, as a contract not executed by all parties. An instrument that the law requires to be recorded is an inchoate instrument until it is recorded, in that it is good only […]

  • Grand Larceny

    Grand Larceny in United States Grand Larceny Definition At Common Law. Simple larceny was divided into grand and petit. The former was committed by the stealing of property exceeding twelve pence in value; the latter, when the property was of the value of twelve pence or under. This […]

  • Force Majeure

    Force Majeure in United States Practical Information Note: Some of this information was last updated in 1982(French). Superior or irresistible force. Corresponds in a general way to Act of God, for example an earthquake or the sudden death of a person. If a party to a contract is prevented […]

  • Fixture

    Fixture in United States Practical Information Note: Some of this information was last updated in 1982Something that has become physically attached to real property (in U.S. law) such that its removal would damage the property; thus it is considered part of the realty. Examples of fixture are […]

  • Encumbrance

    Encumbrance in United States Practical Information Note: Some of this information was last updated in 1982A burden or charge on property, either real property (in U.S. law) or personal property (in U.S. law), consisting of a legal right or interest in favor of a person other than the owner. […]

  • Dower

    Dower in United States Dower Definition (Fr. doner, to endow). The provision which the law makes for a widow out of the lands or tenements of her husband, for her support and the nurture of her children. Co. Litt. 30a; 2 Bl. Comm. 130; 4 Kent, Comm. 35; Washb. Real Prop. 146. The word dower…

  • Demise

    Demise in United States Demise Definition (1) A conveyance, either in fee for life or for years. A lease or conveyance for a term of years. According to Chief Justice Gibson, the term strictly denotes a postliumous grant, and no more. 5 Whart. (Pa.) 278. See 4 Bing. N. C. 678; 2 Bouv. Inst, […]

  • Deed

    Deed in United States Deed Definition A written instrument under seal, containing a contract or agreement which has been delivered by the party to be bound and accepted by the obligee or covenantee. Co. Litt. 171; 2 BL Comm. 295; Shep. Touch. 50. A writing under seal, by which lands, […]

  • Ancillary

    Ancillary in United States Ancillary Definition (Lat. ancilla, a handmaid). Auxiliary; subordinate. Ancillary in Foreign Legal Encyclopedias LinkDescription Ancillary, Ancillary in the World Legal Encyclopedia., Ancillary, Ancillary in the European Legal Encyclopedia., Ancillary, […]

  • Alienation

    Alienation in United States Alienation Definition Of Property. The transfer of property and possession of lands, tenements, or other things from one person to another. Termes de la Ley. It is. particularly applied to absolute conveyances of real property. A transfer of less than the whole […]

  • Abstract Of Title

    Abstract Of Title in United States Practical Information Note: Some of this information was last updated in 1982Evidence of title (in U.S. law) to real property (in U.S. law). An abstract is a condensed history of the ownership of or rights in a particular tract of land. It consists of a […]

  • Abeyance

    Abeyance in United States Abeyance Definition (Fr. a66a2/er, to expect). In expectation, remembrance, and contemplation of law ; the condition of a freehold when there is no person in being in whom it is vested. In such cases, the freehold has been said to be in nubibus (in the clouds), and […]