The Law Dictionary for Everyone
General practice encompasses a broad range of civil and criminal matters. Unlike lawyers who specialize in one or two subjects, general practice lawyers are not limited to any specific area of the law. They often concentrate on basic legal services including, but not limited to, probate law, family law, contract law, and property law. Keep reading to learn more about […]
Read moreImmigration is the act of entering a foreign country to take permanent residence. To become a citizen of another country however, certain guidelines set forth by immigration laws must be followed. Immigration lawyers help individuals from other countries take the steps needed to legally reside in the U.S. They also have an array of other duties and responsibilities. Keep reading […]
Read moreThe term “representative democracy” refers to a type of government wherein the citizens vote for representatives to pass laws for them. A perfect example of representative democracy can be found right here in the United States. Here, American citizens vote for a President and members of Congress, as well as members of state and local governments, to hear the concerns […]
Read moreThe term “limited government” refers to a government whose power is limited by the restrictions set forth in a constitution, or some such other governing authority. An example of a limited government is our own U.S. government. In other words, the U.S. government does not have any power other than that which is granted to it by the U.S. Constitution. […]
Read moreEstate planning the process of deciding what should happen to your wealth and assets when you die or should you become incapacitated. Along with protecting your assets during your life and after your death, an estate plan will help your family avoid probate and minimize the tax owed by your estate. The plan involves a broad range of topics and […]
Read moreThe term “sovereign citizen” refers to an individual who does not agree with a particular law and will find any means of justifying his noncompliance with that law. An example of a sovereign citizen is someone who refuses to pay his income taxes, and then presents “evidence” as to why he should not have to pay them. Such “evidence” can […]
Read moreThe term “conflict of interest” in the legal world refers to a situation wherein an individual is in a position to exploit his professional capacity for his own benefit. For example, a conflict of interest would arise if one law firm tried to represent both parties in a divorce case. This problem is typically found in the medical and political […]
Read moreThe term sine qua non is translated from Latin to mean “without which it could not be.” For example, sine qua non would apply to a situation wherein a child found his father’s gun in an unlocked cabinet and injured himself. The father, who left the gun cabinet unlocked, was the sine qua non of the injury that his child […]
Read moreA complaint in the legal world refers to the first document that is filed by the plaintiff in a case. This document lists all of the facts and reasons why the plaintiff believes he is justified in bringing his case against the defendant. For example, a complaint filed in a civil case may detail the ways in which the plaintiff […]
Read moreThe term impasse” refers to the type of situation where no further progress can be made, and all possible options have been exhausted. For example, an impasse in a legal case would be the failure of the parties to reach a settlement, despite going through mediation and exhausting all good faith efforts to do the same. In this case, the […]
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