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All Terms A–Z
Affidavit
A written statement of facts made voluntarily and confirmed by the oath or affirmation of the declarant, typically used as evidence in legal proceedings.
Amendment
A formal modification or addition to an existing contract, agreement, or legal document that changes specific terms while leaving the rest of the agreement intact.
Arbitration
A private dispute resolution process where parties agree to submit their conflict to one or more neutral arbitrators who render a binding decision.
Articles of Incorporation
A formal document filed with a state government to legally establish a corporation, setting forth its basic structure, purpose, and authorized share capital.
At-Will Employment
An employment relationship where either the employer or the employee can terminate the relationship at any time, for any lawful reason, with or without cause or notice.
Beneficiary
A person or entity designated to receive benefits, assets, or proceeds from a will, trust, insurance policy, retirement account, or other legal arrangement.
Bill of Sale
A legal document that records the transfer of ownership of personal property from a seller to a buyer, serving as proof of the transaction.
Breach of Contract
A violation of a contractual obligation that occurs when one party fails to perform any term of the agreement without a legitimate legal excuse.
Cease and Desist
A formal written demand ordering a person or entity to stop a specified activity and refrain from repeating it, often serving as a precursor to legal action.
Class Action
A type of lawsuit where one or more plaintiffs file and pursue litigation on behalf of a larger group of people who have suffered similar harm from the same defendant.
Consideration
Something of value exchanged between parties to a contract, which is required to make the agreement legally binding and enforceable.
Copyright
A form of intellectual property protection that grants the creator of an original work exclusive rights to reproduce, distribute, display, and create derivative works.
Deposition
A sworn, out-of-court oral testimony given by a witness or party before trial, recorded for later use as evidence in legal proceedings.
Discovery
The pretrial phase of litigation where parties exchange relevant information, documents, and evidence to prepare their cases for trial or settlement.
Easement
A legal right to use another person's land for a specific purpose without possessing it, such as a right of way for access or utility lines.
Employee Handbook
A comprehensive document provided by an employer that outlines workplace policies, procedures, employee rights, benefits, and expectations for conduct.
Escrow
A financial arrangement where a neutral third party holds funds, documents, or assets on behalf of two transacting parties until specified conditions are met.
Eviction
A legal process by which a landlord removes a tenant from a rental property for violating lease terms, failing to pay rent, or other lawful grounds.
Fiduciary Duty
The highest legal obligation of trust and loyalty that one party owes to another, requiring them to act in the other party's best interest.
Force Majeure
A contractual clause that frees both parties from obligation when an extraordinary event beyond their control prevents one or both from fulfilling their duties.
Governing Law
A contractual provision that specifies which jurisdiction's laws will be used to interpret and enforce the agreement in case of a dispute.
Guardianship
A legal arrangement in which a court appoints a responsible person to make personal, financial, or healthcare decisions for someone who cannot manage their own affairs.
Indemnification
A contractual obligation where one party agrees to compensate another for losses, damages, or liabilities arising from specified events or actions.
Independent Contractor
A self-employed individual or business that provides services to another entity under a contract, without being classified as an employee of that entity.
Injunction
A court order requiring a party to do or refrain from doing a specific act, used as an equitable remedy when monetary damages would be insufficient.
Last Will and Testament
A legal document that expresses a person's wishes regarding the distribution of their assets and the care of minor children after their death.
Lease Agreement
A legally binding contract between a landlord and tenant that grants the tenant the right to occupy and use a property for a specified period in exchange for rent payments.
Letter of Intent
A document outlining the preliminary terms of a proposed agreement between parties, expressing a serious intention to negotiate toward a final binding contract.
Liability
A legal responsibility or obligation to pay damages, fulfill a duty, or answer for an action or failure to act under the law.
Licensing Agreement
A contract granting one party permission to use another party's intellectual property, brand, technology, or other proprietary rights under specified terms and conditions.
Liquidated Damages
A predetermined amount of money agreed upon by contracting parties as compensation for a specific breach, established when actual damages would be difficult to calculate.
Non-Compete Agreement
A contract in which one party agrees not to engage in competing business activities within a specified geographic area and time period after the relationship ends.
Non-Disclosure Agreement
A legally binding contract that establishes a confidential relationship between parties to protect sensitive information shared during business dealings.
Non-Solicitation
A contractual restriction that prohibits a party from recruiting or soliciting employees, clients, or customers of the other party for a specified period after the relationship ends.
Notarization
The official process where a state-commissioned notary public verifies the identity of document signers, witnesses their signatures, and applies an official seal.
Patent
A government-granted exclusive right that gives an inventor the sole authority to make, use, sell, or license an invention for a limited period, typically 20 years.
Power of Attorney
A legal document that authorizes one person (the agent or attorney-in-fact) to act on behalf of another person (the principal) in legal, financial, or medical matters.
Probate
The legal process through which a court validates a deceased person's will, oversees the distribution of their assets, and resolves any outstanding debts or claims.
Security Deposit
A sum of money paid by a tenant to a landlord at the start of a lease, held as protection against unpaid rent, property damage, or other lease violations.
Settlement Agreement
A legally binding contract that resolves a dispute between parties without going to trial, typically involving payment or other concessions in exchange for a release of claims.
Severability
A contractual provision stating that if any part of the agreement is found invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will continue in full force and effect.
Severance Pay
Compensation and benefits provided to an employee upon termination of employment, typically offered in exchange for a release of legal claims against the employer.
Statute of Limitations
A law that sets the maximum time period within which legal proceedings must be initiated after an alleged offense or breach occurs.
Sublease
An arrangement where the original tenant of a rental property rents all or part of the premises to a third party while remaining responsible under the original lease.
Tenant Rights
Legal protections afforded to renters under federal, state, and local laws that guarantee habitable living conditions, privacy, and protection from unfair treatment.
Title Search
An examination of public records to verify the legal ownership of a property and identify any liens, encumbrances, or claims that could affect a real estate transaction.
Trade Secret
Confidential business information that provides a competitive advantage and is protected through reasonable secrecy measures rather than public registration.
Trademark
A recognizable sign, word, phrase, symbol, or design that identifies and distinguishes the goods or services of one business from those of others.
Trust
A fiduciary arrangement where a trustee holds and manages assets on behalf of beneficiaries according to the terms established by the trust creator (grantor).
Whistleblower Protection
Legal safeguards that protect employees who report illegal activities, safety violations, fraud, or other misconduct by their employer from retaliation.
Workers' Compensation
A state-mandated insurance program that provides benefits to employees who suffer work-related injuries or illnesses, regardless of fault.
Wrongful Termination
An illegal dismissal of an employee that violates federal or state laws, contractual terms, or public policy protections against unjust firing.