Legal Terms: A

The voluntary relinquishment of a right, claim, or property with no intention of reclaiming it.

A reduction, decrease, or elimination. In law, it may refer to the reduction of a tax, legacy, or nuisance.

A principle requiring that senior creditor classes be paid in full before junior classes receive any distribution under a Chapter 11 plan.

A condensed history of the title to a piece of land, listing all recorded instruments that affect ownership.

A provision in a loan agreement allowing the lender to demand immediate payment of the entire balance if certain conditions are met, such as missed payments.

A HIPAA Security Rule technical safeguard requiring covered entities to implement procedures to ensure that only authorized persons can access electronic protected health information.

A person who assists in the commission of a crime but is not the principal actor. An accessory before the fact helps plan the crime; an accessory after the fact aids the offender after the crime.

A person who knowingly and voluntarily participates with another in a criminal act, either as a principal or accessory.

An agreement to accept a different performance than what was originally promised, combined with the actual performance of that new agreement, discharging the original obligation.

A patient's right under HIPAA to receive a list of certain disclosures of their protected health information made by a covered entity during the preceding six years.

An individual or entity meeting SEC income or net-worth thresholds and thus permitted to invest in unregistered securities offerings.

A finding of not guilty by a judge or jury, releasing the defendant from criminal charges.

A lawsuit or legal proceeding brought before a court to enforce a right or seek a remedy.

The physical act or unlawful omission that constitutes a criminal offense. Together with mens rea, it forms the basis of criminal liability.

Payments or other measures provided to a secured creditor to protect its interest in collateral during the bankruptcy case.

A standardized form contract offered on a take-it-or-leave-it basis by a party with superior bargaining power, with no opportunity for negotiation.

The formal resolution of a dispute by a judge or administrative tribunal. The process of making a judicial decision.

Total gross income minus specific above-the-line deductions, such as retirement contributions and student loan interest, used to determine eligibility for various tax benefits.

The process by which an eligible foreign national already in the United States obtains lawful permanent resident status without having to return to their home country.

The body of law governing the activities of administrative agencies, including rulemaking, adjudication, and enforcement.

The body of law governing maritime activities, including shipping, navigation, waters, insurance, and piracy. Also called maritime law.

Evidence that meets the rules of evidence and may be considered by a judge or jury in deciding a case.

The legal process by which a person becomes the lawful parent of a child who is not biologically theirs, permanently transferring all parental rights.

A travel document allowing a foreign national with a pending immigration application to leave and reenter the United States without abandoning their application.

The legal system used in the United States where two opposing parties present their cases before a neutral judge or jury.

A lawsuit filed within a bankruptcy case to resolve disputes such as fraudulent transfer claims, dischargeability of debts, or objections to exemptions.

A method of acquiring title to real property by occupying it openly, continuously, exclusively, and adversely for the statutory period required by state law.

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

A defense strategy in which the defendant introduces evidence that, if found credible, negates criminal or civil liability even if the allegations are true.

The 2010 federal law that expanded health insurance coverage through Medicaid expansion, health insurance marketplaces, and individual and employer mandates.

A federal law prohibiting employment discrimination against individuals 40 years of age or older in hiring, promotion, termination, and other terms of employment.

A governmental body with delegated authority to implement and enforce specific laws and regulations.

A category of criminal offenses defined in the Immigration and Nationality Act that carries severe immigration consequences, including mandatory detention and removal.

Assisting or encouraging someone in committing a crime, which can result in criminal liability equal to that of the principal offender.

Financial support paid by one spouse to the other after separation or divorce, based on factors like length of marriage and earning capacity.

A claim or assertion made by a party in a pleading that the party expects to prove at trial.

The historical federal policy of dividing communal tribal lands into individual parcels assigned to tribal members, resulting in significant loss of tribal land.

Methods of resolving disputes outside of traditional courtroom litigation, including mediation, arbitration, and negotiation.

A parallel tax system that ensures higher-income taxpayers pay a minimum amount of tax by disallowing certain deductions and credits available under the regular tax system.

To change or modify a legal document, statute, or constitutional provision through a formal process.

A form filed to correct errors on a previously filed tax return, such as changes to income, deductions, or credits.

A formal change or addition to a law, constitution, or legal document.

The federal law prohibiting employment discrimination against qualified individuals with disabilities and requiring employers to provide reasonable accommodations.

Latin for 'friend of the court.' A person or organization that files a brief offering information or arguments relevant to a case in which they are not a party.

The amount of gifts a person can give to any individual each year without incurring gift tax or using any of their lifetime gift tax exemption.

A legal declaration that a marriage is void and never legally existed, as opposed to divorce, which ends a valid marriage.

The defendant's formal written response to a complaint, admitting or denying the allegations and raising any defenses.

A federal criminal law prohibiting the knowing and willful offering, payment, solicitation, or receipt of anything of value to induce or reward referrals for services covered by federal healthcare programs.

Laws designed to promote competition and prevent monopolies, including the Sherman Act, Clayton Act, and FTC Act.

The power of an agent to act on behalf of a principal, as reasonably perceived by a third party, even if the agent lacks actual authority.

A request to a higher court to review and change the decision of a lower court based on alleged legal errors.

A court that reviews decisions of lower courts for legal errors. It does not conduct new trials or hear new evidence.

A professional estimate of the market value of real property, typically required by lenders before approving a mortgage.

The legislative allocation of government funds for a specific purpose. Also, in tort law, the unauthorized use of another person's name or likeness for commercial benefit.

A form of alternative dispute resolution where a neutral third party (arbitrator) hears evidence and makes a binding decision.

A contract provision requiring employees to resolve disputes with their employer through binding arbitration rather than litigation.

The federal agency responsible for issuing permits under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act for the discharge of dredged or fill material into waters of the United States.

A court proceeding in which the defendant is formally charged with a crime and asked to enter a plea of guilty, not guilty, or no contest.

Money that is owed and should have been paid earlier, such as overdue rent, child support, or loan payments.

The taking of a person into custody by law enforcement, typically based on probable cause that a crime has been committed.

The crime of intentionally or recklessly setting fire to property, including buildings, land, or vehicles.

A nonjudicial punishment under the UCMJ allowing a commanding officer to impose disciplinary action for minor offenses without a formal court-martial.

The intentional act of causing another person to fear imminent harmful or offensive contact. Distinguished from battery, which involves actual contact.

The valuation of real property by a local government assessor for the purpose of calculating property taxes.

Anything of value owned by a person or entity, including real property, personal property, cash, investments, and intellectual property.

The debtor's decision in bankruptcy to continue performing under an executory contract or unexpired lease, requiring cure of any defaults.

Protection granted by a country to a foreign national who has fled their home country due to a well-founded fear of persecution.

An interview conducted by a USCIS asylum officer to evaluate an affirmative asylum application and determine whether the applicant has a credible fear of persecution.

The default employment rule in most states allowing either the employer or employee to terminate the employment relationship at any time for any lawful reason without prior notice.

An employment arrangement where either the employer or employee can terminate the relationship at any time, for any lawful reason, with or without notice.

A person licensed to practice law and represent clients in legal matters, also called a lawyer or counsel.

A legal protection that prevents disclosure of confidential communications between an attorney and their client made for the purpose of obtaining legal advice.

An examination of a taxpayer's return and financial records by the IRS to verify that income, deductions, and credits are reported accurately.

A HIPAA Security Rule technical safeguard requiring implementation of hardware, software, and procedural mechanisms to record and examine access to electronic protected health information.

An injunction that automatically takes effect upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition, halting most collection actions, foreclosures, and lawsuits against the debtor.

A lawsuit brought by the bankruptcy trustee to recover payments or transfers made by the debtor before filing, including preferences and fraudulent transfers.

Absent Without Leave, the military offense of being absent from one's unit or duty station without proper authorization, less serious than desertion.