See: district attorney (da)

1) In a lawsuit, the harm caused to a party who is injured. 2) In a lawsuit, the money awarded to one party based on injury or loss caused by the other. For either definition, there are many different types or categories of damages. (See also: compensatory damages, actual damages, special damages, general damages, exemplary damages, punitive damages, statutory damages, nominal damages)

Dangerous Weapon
Any object, such as a gun, knife, sword, crossbow, or slingshot, that is intrinsically capable of causing serious bodily harm to another person. The definition becomes important in cases where criminal laws attach particular consequences to crimes performed with a dangerous weapon. (See also: deadly weapon)

Darby V. United States (1941)
A U.S. Supreme Court case in which the Court, in a decision by Justice Harlan Stone, sustained the portion of the 1938 Fair Labor Standards Act prohibiting child labor and regulating wages and hours, on the basis that the federal government's power to regulate interstate commerce included the authority to promote commerce as well as prohibit it, a position argued in a dissent by Oliver Wendell Holmes in 1916.


Date Rape
Forcible sexual intercourse by a male acquaintance of a woman, during a voluntary social engagement in which the woman did not intend to submit to the sexual advances and resisted the acts by verbal refusals, denials, pleas to stop, and/or fighting back. The fact that the parties knew each other or that the woman willingly accompanied the man are not legal defenses to a charge of rape.

David H. Souter
U.S. Supreme Court Justice from 1990 to 2009, nominated to the bench by President George H. W. Bush. He was replaced by Sonia Sotomayor in 2009.

See: doing business as

De Facto
Latin for "in fact." A recognition of authority even when legal or formal requirements have not been met. (See also: de facto corporation, de jure)

De Facto Corporation

De Jure
(deh jur ay) Latin for according to the law. Compare: de facto

De Jure Corporation
A corporation formed in compliance with all applicable laws. Compare: de facto corporation

De Minimis
(dee minn-uh-miss) Trifling or of little importance. Usually refers to something so small, whether in dollar terms, importance, or severity, that the law will not consider it.

De Novo
(day-noh-voh) Latin for "anew," meaning to do something over again as if for the first time. (See: trial de novo)

Dead Man's Statute
In the law of evidence, a rule that prevents a person making a claim against an estate from testifying about statements, actions, or promises made by the deceased person.

Deadhand Control
An attempt to keep property in the hands of chosen family members or organizations through ownership interests that vest far into the future. In the law of wills and estates, deadhand control is restricted to lives in being at the time the will is executed, plus 21 years. (This is known as the rule against perpetuities.)

Deadly Weapon

Anyone who buys goods or property for the purpose of selling as a business. It is important to distinguish a dealer from someone who occasionally buys and occasionally sells, since dealers may need to obtain business licenses, register with the sales tax authorities, and may not defer capital gains taxes by buying other property.

Death Benefit
Insurance or pension money payable to a deceased person's designated beneficiary.

Death Penalty
The sentence of execution for murder and some other capital crimes. (See also: capital punishment)

Death Row
The portion of a prison that houses prisoners who are under death sentences and are awaiting appeals or execution.

Death Taxes
Taxes levied at death, based on the value of property left behind. There are two main types of death taxes in the United States: estate taxes and inheritance taxes. The federal government and some state governments impose estate taxes on decedent's estates. And some states levy inheritance taxes on people who inherit property.

A type of bond (an interest-bearing document that serves as evidence of an investment or debt) that does not require security in the form of a mortgage or lien on a specific piece of property. Repayment of a debenture is guaranteed only by the general credit of the issuer. For example, a corporation may issue a secured bond that gives the bondholder a lien on the corporations factory. But if it issues a debenture, the loan is not secured by any property at all. When a corporation issues debentures, the holders are considered creditors of the corporation and are entitled to payment before shareholders if the business folds.

Debit Card
A card issued by a bank that combines the functions of an ATM card and a check. A debit card can be used to withdraw cash at a bank, like an ATM card. It can also be used like a check at stores, to pay for goods and services. A debit card is linked to the user's bank account, from which money is automatically withdrawn when the card is used.

1) An amount owed by one person or entity to another. 2) A cause of action in a lawsuit to recover a set amount owed by another person or entity. 3) The total of everything a person or entity owes to all creditors. For example, everything the United States government owes is collectively called "the national debt," and that amount is made up of a number of debts.

Debt Collector
Someone who works in the in-house collections department of an original creditor or for a collection agency to track down debtors and get them to pay what they owe. (See also: Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA))

Debt Relief Agency

Debt-To-Income Ratio
The percentage of a person's monthly gross income that is spent on paying debts, such as housing and credit card payments. Banks and lenders use this ratio to decide how much money (and on what terms) they will lend someone for a mortgage, car, or other loan. Traditionally, lenders have said that your housing costs (mortgage principal and interest, homeowner's insurance, and property taxes, also known as PITI) shouldn't exceed 28% of your gross income, and that your overall debt (PITI plus car and other loan payments) shouldn't exceed 36%.

A person or entity (such as a business) who owes money.

Debtor In Possession
A business that has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and is allowed to continue operating during the bankruptcy process.

See: decedent

A person who has died, also called the deceased.


See: deceit

To reach a determination of who is right and wrong in a legal matter, after looking at the facts and the law. Judges, hearing officers, magistrates, and arbitrators all may decide the outcome of cases that come before them.By contrast, mediators help disputing parties reach a mutually agreeable resolution, but do not decide matters themselves.


A person who signs a statement or declaration alleging that the information contained in the statement is true. Compare: affiant


Declaration Against Interest

Declaration Of Mailing
A legal form stating that a particular document has been mailed to someone involved in a legal action (such as opposing attorneys or the clerk of the court), to prove compliance with court requirements. The declaration must be signed by its sender, usually under penalty of perjury.

Declaration Of Trust
The document that creates a trust. It names a trustee and beneficiaries, sets out how trust assets are to be managed and distributed, and may list the assets that are to be held in trust. It is signed by the person creating the trust, who is usually called the grantor, settlor, or trustor. A trust declaration is also called a trust instrument.

Declaration Under Penalty Of Perjury

Declaratory Judgment

Declaratory Relief
See: declaratory judgment

An order by a judge, resolving issues in a court case. Similar to the term "judgment," but preferred in certain types of cases, like probate matters. (See also: judgment)

Decree Of Distribution
The final court order distributing a probate estate.

The repeal or amendment of statutes which made certain acts criminal, so that those acts no longer are crimes or subject to prosecution.

The giving of land by a private person or entity to the government, typically for a street, park, or school site, as part of and a condition of a real estate development. The local county or city (or other public body) must accept the dedication before it is complete.

Dedimus Potestatum


Deductible Business Expense
An expenditure that is ordinary and necessary for running a business and deductible from the businesss gross receipts so that it is not counted toward taxable income.

In tax law, an amount that an individual or business can subtract from its gross income (total income) to determine its taxable income (the total income on which it owes tax). Examples of federal income tax deductions include mortgage interest, charitable contributions, and certain state taxes.

A document that transfers ownership of real estate and is recorded in the local public land records. (See also: deed of trust, quitclaim deed, transfer-on-death deed, warranty deed)

Deed In Lieu Of Foreclosure

Deed Of Trust
See: trust deed

Deep Link
A link from one website to another that bypasses the second website's home page and takes the user directly to an internal page on the site. For example, a deep link from Yahoo! might take the user directly to a news article on a news site instead of linking to the home page of the site. Compare: link

The failure to turn over or account for funds entrusted to one's care. Defalcation may be, but is not necessarily, criminal or fraudulent.


1) Failure to file an answer or other response to a summons or complaint in a lawsuit. After a certain period has passed, the plaintiff may ask the court for a default judgment, which means the defendant who failed to respond loses the case. A defendant who has a legally sufficient reason for failing to respond (for example, the defendant never received the summons) may file a motion asking the court to overturn the default judgment and allow the defendant to defend the lawsuit. 2) Failure to pay a debt or meet other obligations of a loan agreement. For example, a debtor may default on a car loan by failing to make required monthly payments or by failing to carry adequate insurance as required by the loan agreement.

Default Divorce

Default Judgment


Defeasible Remainder
A vested remainder that can be destroyed if a specific condition occurs. For example, "To Jorge, unless he gets divorced." Jorge has a vested remainder, but it's also a defeasible remainder because it can be taken away from him if he gets divorce

An imperfection in a product, machinery, process, or written document that makes the item unusable or harmful, such as faulty brakes in a car, or invalid, such as a deed signed by someone who does not have title to the property. A defect may also be minor, such as scratches on a car door, that lessens value or use of the item, but does not make it dangerous or useless.


Defective Title
Property ownership that is subject to claims by someone else, making it impossible to sell the property.(See also: clear title, title search)


1) A general term for the effort of an attorney representing a defendant during trial and in pretrial maneuvers to defeat the party suing or the prosecution in a criminal case. 2) A response to a complaint, called an affirmative defense, to counter, defeat, or remove all or a part of the contentions of the plaintiff.

Defense Attorney
The attorney representing the defendant in a lawsuit or criminal prosecution. Attorneys who regularly represent clients in civil lawsuits are often called "plaintiffs' attorneys."

Defense Of Marriage Act (Doma)
So-called Defense of Marriage laws define marriage as a relationship between one man and one woman, for the purpose of excluding same-sex couples from the institution of marriage. The federal DOMA prohibits the federal government from recognizing same-sex legal relationships entered into in one of the states that recognize same-sex unions. Individual states' DOMA laws provide that those states do not allow same-sex marriage and, often, do not recognize same-sex unions from other states.

Deferred Compensation
An arrangement in which a portion of an employee's income is paid at a later date than the date when it is earned. In most cases, the primary benefit is the tax deferral on the deferred income.


Deficiency Judgment
A judgment for the amount a homeowner owes the lender after a house or other asset is foreclosed upon and sold by the creditor for less than the actual debt (mortgage or car loan, for example) that is secured by the asset. In most states, the lender can file a separate lawsuit to recover a deficiency owed by the borrower. Some states restrict deficiency judgments after a home foreclosure.

In a budget, an excess of expenditures or liabilities over revenues or assets.

Defined Benefit Plan
A type of pension plan that promises a specific benefit upon retirement. The benefit may be a set amount (such as $1,000 per month) or may be calculated according to a formula based on, for example, years of service and average salary. Compare: defined contribution plan

Defined Contribution Plan


Degree Of Kinship

Delayed Exchange


1) (duh-lib-er-et) Done with care, intention, or premeditation. 2) (duh-lib</>-er-ate) Consideration and discussion of facts, laws, and other matters, particularly by members of a jury, a panel of judges, or by any group including a legislature.

1) A payment that is past due or not paid in full. 2) A person who disobeys rules or breaks the law such as a juvenile delinquent.

The transfer of an object, money, or document to another. To be effective, real estate deeds must be delivered, but delivery does not necessarily require that the new owner be given physical possession of the deed. If a deed is acknowledged and recorded, the law generally presumes that delivery was made.

A claim or an assertion of a legal right or a right to compensation. (See also: demand letter)

Demand Letter

Demand Note

Transfer of real estate by a lease or will. Traditionally, the transfer was limited to a term of years but the expression has come to refer to outright gifts as well.

Demonstrative Evidence
Objects, pictures, models, and other devices used in a trial or hearing to demonstrate or explain facts that the party is trying to prove.

Presenting a demurrer to a court.

(dee-mur-ur) A written response to a complaint filed in a lawsuit which, in effect, pleads for dismissal on the point that even if the facts alleged in the complaint were true, there is no legal basis for a lawsuit. A hearing before a judge will then be held to determine the validity of the demurrer. Some parts of a lawsuit may be defeated by a demurrer while others may survive. Some demurrers contend that the complaint is unclear or omits an essential element of fact. If the judge finds these errors, the judge will usually sustain the demurrer (state it is valid), but "with leave to amend" in order to correct the original complaint. If after amendment the complaint is still not legally good, a demurrer will be granted. In rare occasions, a demurrer can be used to attack an answer to a complaint. Some states have substituted a motion to dismiss for failure to state a cause of action for the demurrer.

A statement by a defendant that an allegation (claim of fact) is not true. When a defendant in a civil lawsuit files an answer to a plaintiff's complaint, the defendant is limited to three choices: admitting, denying, or denying the allegations on the basis that he or she has no information to affirm or deny them. If a defendant denies all of the allegations, it is called a general denial. The defendant's answer may also include affirmative defenses.

Department Of Homeland Security (Dhs)
A government agency created in 2003 to handle immigration and other security-related matters. Within DHS's immigration responsibilities, it oversees U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS, which replaced the former Immigration and Naturalzation Service or INS); as well as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

Department Of Labor (Dol)
A federal government agency that interprets and enforces a number of labor and employment laws, including the Occupational Safety and Health Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, the federal minimum wage and overtime laws, and laws that govern child labor.

Department Of State (Dos)
A U.S. department that handles foreign relations under the leadership of the Secretary of State. Among its many functions, DOS operates U.S. embassies and consulates in other countries. Generally, the DOS determines who is entitled to a visa or green card when an application is filed outside the United States. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), under the Department of Homeland Security, regulates immigration processing inside the United States.

1) A person receiving support from another person (such as a parent), which may qualify the party supporting the dependent for an exemption to reduce income taxes. 2) Requiring an event to occur, as the fulfillment of a contract for delivery of goods is dependent on the goods being available.

Dependent Care Plan
A fringe benefit that eligible employees of a business can be given tax-free to care for their dependents. This expense is generally deductible to the business.

Dependents Benefits
A type of Social Security benefit available to spouses and minor or disabled children of retired or disabled workers who qualify for either retirement or disability benefits under the program's rigorous qualification guidelines.

Someone whose deposition is being taken.

Dependent Care Plan

Dependents Benefits

Dependent Care Plan

Dependents Benefits

Someone whose deposition is being taken.

See: removal

To question a witness or a party to a lawsuit at a deposition (testimony under oath taken outside of the courtroom before trial).


Depreciable Asset
Property with a useful life of at least one year that gradually loses its value over time. A business deducts the cost of a depreciable asset over a period of time.

In accounting, to reduce the value of an asset each year on the basis that the asset (such as equipment, a vehicle, or a structure) will eventually become obsolete, worn out, and of little value.

Depreciation Reserve


1) Abandoning possession, which is sometimes used in the phrase "dereliction of duty." It includes abandoning a ship, which then becomes a derelict which salvagers can board. 2) Increase of land due to gradual lowering of a tide line (which means the land is building up).

Derivation Of Citizenship
An immigration law concept allowing children who already have U.S. green cards to obtain U.S. citizenship automatically, in most cases when one or both parents become naturalized U.S. citizens. The exact requirements depend on what laws were in effect during certain key events, in most cases the year in which the parent naturalized.

A financial instrument whose value is based on the value of an underlying security, such as a commodity, currency, or bond. The most common derivatives are futures, options, and swaps. They are used to manage risk and fluctuations in the value of the underlying security but are often risky and complicated investments.

Derivative Action
A lawsuit brought by a shareholder against the corporation's directors, other shareholders of the corporation, or a third party for failure of management or fraud. The suing shareholder sues on behalf of the corporation (usually because the directors are failing to exercise their authority for the benefit of the company), and any proceeds of a successful action are awarded to the corporation and not to the suing shareholder.

Derivative Work
In copyright, a new creative work based upon an existing work. To be separately protected under copyright law, a derivative must include sufficient original creative work. Examples of derivative works include a translation of a book, a toy based on a cartoon character, or a movie script based on a novel.

The passing of estate property through inheritance, either by law or through estate planning -- as opposed to acquisition of property through other means, such as purchase.

Descent And Distribution
The rules by which an estate is distributed after the owner's death. This may occur according to the decedent's estate plan or according to intestate laws if the decedent died without an estate plan.

Descriptive Mark

To intentionally abandon a person or thing.


Design Patent
A patent granted for a new design that is not obvious to those in the field of design, and that is used for ornamental reasons -- that is, the design does not affect the functioning of the underlying device. Design patents last for 14 years from the date the patent is issued. Compare: utility patent

See: imprison

1) Capable of being determined by a court. 2) Capable of being terminated on the occurrence of a particular event, usually used to describe an interest in real estate.

Determinate Sentence
A jail or prison sentence that is definite and not subject to review by a parole board or other agency. For example, a sentence of six months in the county jail is determinate, because the prisoner will spend no more than six months (minus time off for good behavior, in some situations). By contrast, an indeterminate sentence (such as 20 years to life) has a minimum term but the release date, if any, will be chosen by a parole board as it periodically reviews the case. Compare: indeterminate sentence

A slang term originating in California for a drunk driving violation.

An old legal term that is generally used to refer to real estate left to someone under the terms of a will, or to the act of leaving such real estate. In some states, devise now applies to any kind of property left by will, making it identical to the term bequest. Compare: bequest, legacy

A person or entity who inherits real estate under the terms of a will. Compare: legatee

Someone who leaves real estate by will. (See also: testator)

The transfer of rights, powers, or an office (public or private) from one person or government to another.


The plural of dictum.


Digital Millennium Copyright Act
A federal statute that addresses a number of copyright issues created by the use of new technology and the Internet including digital rights management (methods for stopping infringement), and certain rights and privileges (safe harbors) that protect Internet Service Providers.

Digital Signature
See: electronic signature

Reasonable care or attention to a matter.

When a famous trademark or service mark is used in a context in which the mark's reputation for quality is tarnished or its distinction is blurred. For example, the use of the word Candyland for a pornographic site on the Internet diluted the reputation of the Candyland mark for the well-known children's game, even though the traditional basis for trademark infringement (probable customer confusion) wasn't an issue.

Diminished Capacity
An impaired mental condition, caused by disease, trauma, or intoxication but short of insanity, that can reduce the criminal responsibility of a defendant. Not all states allow defendants to offer this plea in response to criminal charges.

Diminution In Value
A way of assessing damages after a breach of a contract, which measures the difference between the value of the property as it was contractually promised and the value of the property as it currently exists or was constructed.

Direct And Proximate Cause
The immediate reason that something happened that caused harm to another person. The words are often used together, as in "The defendant's negligent act in running the red light was the direct and proximate cause of the plaintiff's injuries." (See also: legal cause)

Direct Evidence
Real, tangible, or clear evidence of a fact, happening, or thing that requires no thinking or consideration to prove its existence, as compared to circumstantial evidence.

Direct Examination
At trial, the initial questioning of a party or witness by the side that called him or her to testify. The major purpose of direct examination is to explain your version of events to the judge or jury and to undercut your opponant's version. Good direct examination seeks to prove all facts necessary to satisfy the plaintiff's legal claims or causes of action -- for example, that the defendant breached a valid contract and, as a result, the plaintiff suffered a loss.

Direct Inheritance
Property left outright to a person, rather than put into a trust or account. For those who qualify for SSI or Medicaid, direct inheritance may cause a reduction or elimination of those benefits because the inheritance is counted as income in the month received and as a resource in the following months. Property left to a special needs trust is not counted as direct inheritance

Directed Trust
A trust in which certain assets are managed by someone other than the trustee. For example, someone might set up a trust and name a banks trust department as trustee, but specify in the trust document that a business held in trust be managed by someone else. The outside manager goes by different names in different states: a cotrustee, special trustee, trust protector, or adviser. Directed trusts are authorized by law in about 30 states. Most hold at least $1 million in assets, and often much more.

Directed Verdict
A ruling by a judge, typically made after the plaintiff has presented all of its evidence but before the defendant puts on its case, that awards judgment to the defendant. A directed verdict is usually made because the judge concludes the plaintiff has failed to offer the minimum amount of evidence to prove the case even if there were no opposition. In other words, the judge is saying that, as a matter of law, no reasonable jury could decide in the plaintiff's favor. In a criminal case, a directed verdict is a judgment of acquittal for the defendant.

Directive To Physicians
See: living will

A member of the governing board of a corporation, typically elected at an annual meeting of the shareholders. As a group, the directors are responsible for making important business decisions -- especially those that legally bind the corporation -- leaving day-to-day management to the corporation's officers and employees. For example, a decision to borrow money, lease an office, or buy real property would normally be authorized by the board of directors.

1) For purposes of antidiscrimination law, a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. 2) A legal impediment to taking a certain action, such as being a minor who cannot legally enter into a contract.

Disability Benefits
Money available from Social Security to benefit those younger than 65 who qualify because of their work and earning record and who meet the program's medical guidelines defining disability. The benefits are roughly equal to those available in Social Security retirement benefits.

A finding by the IRS after an audit that a business or individual taxpayer was not entitled to a deduction or other tax benefit claimed on a tax return.

The removal of an attorney's license to practice law. This penalty is usually invoked by the state bar association where the attorney is licensed to practice and will prohibit the attorney from practicing law before the courts in that state or from giving advice for a fee to clients. Causes of disbarment include: a felony involving "moral turpitude," forgery, fraud, a history of dishonesty, consistent lack of attention to clients, alcoholism or drug abuse which affect the attorney's ability to practice, theft of funds, or any pattern of violation of the professional code of ethics.

See: disbar

1) To perform one's legal duties or meet one's obligations. 2) To fire someone from a job. 3) In bankruptcy, an order of the court that wipes out all dischargeble debts.

Discharge (Of Debts)
In bankruptcy, the bankruptcy court's action, at the end of the case, to wipe out the debts of the person or business that filed for bankruptcy. Once a debt is discharged, the debtor no longer owes it, and the creditor may no longer take action to collect it.

Discharge (Of Personal Representative)
A court order releasing the personal representative (administrator or /executor) from any further duties connected with the probate of an estate. This typically occurs when the duties have been completed but may happen sooner if the executor or administrator wishes to withdraw or is dismissed.

Discharge In Bankruptcy
See: bankruptcy discharge

Dischargeable Debts

1) To refuse or give away a claim or a right to something. For example, if your aunt leaves you a white elephant in her will and you don't want it, you can refuse the gift by disclaiming your ownership rights. 2) To deny responsibility for a claim or act. For example, a merchant that sells goods secondhand may disclaim responsibility for a products defects by selling it as is.

1) A contractual provision in which one party renounces or refuses a right or a responsibility. 2) A formal statement by a patent or trademark owner that it does not claim certain intellectual property rights. 3) An irrevocable refusal to accept property that has been left by will, trust, or other method, sometimes used in estate planning to reduce overall taxes paid by a family. (See also: intellectual property)

Disclaimer Trust
A kind of bypass trust that gives the surviving spouse the option of not splitting the trust after the first spouse's death if it's not necessary to save on estate tax. A surviving spouse may disclaim (decline to accept) some trust property; that property goes into the bypass trust.

The making known of a fact that had previously been hidden; a revelation. For example, in many states you must disclose major physical defects in a house you are selling, such as a leaky roof or potential flooding problem; and in all states, you must disclose the presence of lead-based paint hazards in buildings constructed before 1978.

Payment of less than the full or regular amount of the price for goods or services or less than the amount due on a promissory note.


The power of a judge, public official, or private party to make decisions based on his or her opinion within general legal guidelines. Discretion is often granted under a contract, trust, or will. Examples: 1) A judge may have discretion as to the amount of a fine or whether to grant a continuance of a trial. 2) A trustee or executor of an estate may have discretion to divide assets among the beneficiaries. 3) A district attorney may have discretion to charge a crime as a misdemeanor or felony. 4) A governor may have discretion to grant a pardon. 5) A planning commission may use its discretion when deciding whether or not to grant a variance to a zoning ordinance.

Discretionary Trust
A common type of trust that grants the trustee broad power to decide when and how much income or property to distribute to a beneficiary





Discretionary Trust

To treat similarly situated people differently on the basis of a protected characteristic, such as race, gender, or disability.

1) To deprive a person of the rights of citizenship, especially the right to vote. 2) Generally, to deprive of a right, privilege, or power.

See: disenfranchise

To give up something upon request, demand, or court order. For example, a corporation that profits from fraudulent business practices may be required to disgorge the earnings gained through its illegal dealings.

The act of disgorging. See: disgorge

To refuse to pay the face amount of a check or the amount due on a promissory note.


The act by which one refuses to leave property to a would-be heir.

Disinterested Witness
A witness who has no personal interest in the case.

Disjunctive Allegations
Claims by someone who files a lawsuit that that one thing OR another occurred, and in criminal case that the accused committed one crime or another. Such allegations are not allowed because the defendant is entitled to know what allegations to defend against.


See: dismiss

Dismissal With Prejudice
When a lawsuit is dismissed with prejudice, the court is saying that it has made a final determination on the merits of the case, and that the plaintiff is therefore forbidden from filing another lawsuit based on the same grounds. See also: dismiss, dismissal without prejudice

Disorderly Conduct
Behavior that disturbs others, including minor criminal offenses such as public drunkenness, loitering, and breach of the peace.

Disorderly House
A place of illegal gambling or a house of prostitution.

Disparate Impact

Disparate Treatment
When two individuals are treated different based on their status or membership in a protected class.

Disposable Income
In bankruptcy, the difference between a debtor's current monthly income and allowable expenses. The law assumes the debtor could pay this amount into a Chapter 13 repayment plan each month. (See also: current monthly income)

Disposing Mind And Memory
See: sound mind and memory

1) The court's final determination of a lawsuit or criminal charge. 2) The act of transferring care, possession, or ownership to another, such as by deed or will.

To eject someone from real property, either legally or by self help.

The assertion of conflicting claims or rights between parties involved in a legal proceeding, such as a lawsuit, mediation, or arbitration.

Dispute Resolution
See: alternative dispute resolution (adr)

Disregarding The Corporate Entity
See: piercing the veil

A stated disagreement with prevailing thought. Also, the opinion of a judge of a court of appeals, including the U. S. Supreme Court, that disagrees with the majority opinion.

Dissenting Opinion
The opinion of a judge who does not agree with the majority opinion. (See also: dissent)

The process of dissolving (ending) a marriage or a business. (See also: divorce, dissolution of corporation)

Dissolution Of Marriage
Another term for a divorce, used in many states.

Distinctive Trademark

To differentiate the ruling in one case from another even though both may have similarities of fact.

The seizure of another's property in order to obtain payment for money owed.

To give assets, usually from an estate or trust, to the people who are entitled to receive them under the terms of a will, trust document, state law, or beneficiary designation.

Someone who receives something. Usually, the term refers to someone who inherits property from a deceased person (a distribution from the deceased person's estate) or receives distributions from a trust. Also called a beneficiary.

Transferring at least some assets of an estate or trust to beneficiaries or paying out profits or assets of a corporation or other business to its owners.

Distribution Of Profits
The withdrawal of profits from a partnership or LLC by a partner or LLC member.

District Attorney (Da)

District Court
1) in the federal court system, a trial court for federal cases in a court district, which is all or a portion of a state. Thus, if you file suit in federal court, your case will normally be heard in federal district court. 2) A local court in some states. States may also group their appellate courts into districts -- for example, The First District Court of Appeal.

District Of Columbia V. Heller (2008)
U.S. Supreme Court case in which the Court held that the Second Amendment guarantee of a right to bear arms protects an individual's right to keep weapons and to use those weapons for traditionally lawful purposes, such as self-defense within the home. This is true even if the individual's purpose is unconnected with a militia.

Disturbance Of The Peace
See: breach of the peace

Disturbing The Peace
See: breach of the peace


Diversity Jurisdiction
The power of the federal courts to decide civil disputes between citizens of different states, provided the amount the plaintiff seeks in damages exceeds an amount set by Congress (currently $75,000). The so-called citizens may include companies incorporated or doing business in different states or a citizen of a foreign country. However, note that the federal courts traditionally refuse to exercise their diversity jurisdiction over cases involving domestic relations and probate.

Diversity Of Citizenship
A basis for taking a lawsuit to federal court, in which the opposing parties are citizens of different states (including corporations incorporated or doing business in different states) or one is a citizen of a foreign country. It's also required that the amount in controversy exceed a statutory amount.

Diversity Visa Program (The Lottery)
Every year, the U.S. Department of State allows people from certain countries who have sent the fewest immigrants to the U.S. in recent years, and who meet specified educational and financial criteria, to enter a lottery program. The "winners," who are randomly selected, may then apply for a U.S. green card (permanent residence).

The disposition or sale of an asset by a company or government entity. It may be voluntary or ordered by a court.

The disposal or reduction of an investment or business interest, for financial, legal, or ethical reasons.


The legal termination of a marriage. All states require a spouse to identify a legal reason for requesting a divorce when that spouse files the divorce papers with the court. These reasons are referred to as grounds for a divorce. (See also: dissolution, no-fault divorce, fault divorce)

Divorce Agreement
An agreement made by a divorcing couple regarding the division of property, custody and visitation of the children, child support, and alimony. The agreement must be put in writing, signed by the parties, and accepted by the court. (See also: marital settlement agreement)


See: court calendar

Doctor-Patient Privilege
See: physician-patient privilege

Doctrine Of Equivalents
A form of patent infringement that occurs when an invention performs substantially the same function in substantially the same manner and obtains the same result as a patented invention. As a result of a Supreme Court decision, the doctrine of equivalents must be applied on an element-by-element basis to the patent claims. (See also: patent claims)

Usually, a paper with writing on it. Technically, a document could be any item with a message imprinted on it, such as a piece of wood on which someone scratched out a will.

Documentary Evidence
A document -- for example, a contract, deed, or will -- that is offered as evidence at a trial or hearing. Before being admitted as evidence, it must be proved that the document is genuine. This is called "laying a foundation."

Dog-Bite Statute
A state law that makes dog owners liable for injuries caused by their dogs, even if an owner didn't know that the dog was likely to cause that kind of injury. More than half the states now have such dog-bite statutes.Compare: one-bite rule

Doing Business
Carrying on business activities, especially a company doing business in a foreign state. Whether an out-of-state company will be subject to another state's laws will depend on whether it does business within that state. (See also: long-arm statute)

Doing Business As (Dba)
A situation in which a business owner operates a company under a name different from its legal name. The owner must file a fictitious name statement, dba statement, or an assumed name statement with the appropriate agency -- for example, the county clerk or Secretary of State -- that records the names of the business's owners. This enables consumers to discover the names of the business owner(s), which is important if a consumer needs to sue the business.

See: Defense of Marriage Act

Domain Name
A combination of letters and numbers that identifies a specific computer or website on the Internet. A domain name usually consists of three parts: a generic "top-level" domain such as ".com" or ".gov" that identifies the type of organization; a second level domain such as nolo or yahoo, which identifies the organization, site, or individual; and a third level domain such as "www," which is used to identify a particular host server. Domain names have various functions. They can serve as an address (whitehouse.com), as a trademark (amazon.com), or as an expression of free speech (generalmotorssucks.com). Trademark owners can, under some circumstances, stop others from using a domain name if it conflicts with their existing trademark. (See also: uniform resource locator (URL))

Domestic Partner Adoption
An adoption by one registered domestic partner, usually of a child born to the other partner, in one of the states that allows domestic partner registration (California, the District of Columbia, Maine, Oregon, and Washington).

Domestic Partners
1) Couples registered under domestic partnership laws in California, the District of Columbia, Maine, Oregon, and Washington State. In California, Maine, and Oregon, these couples have all the same rights and responsibilities as spouses under state law. 2) Unmarried couples of the same or opposite sex living together in committed relationships, who may be entitled to some of the same benefits as married partners under employer policies or city or county rules.

Domestic Relations
The field of law that includes divorce, child custody, child support, and alimony.

Domestic Violence

The state in which a person has or intends to maintain permanent residence, or the state in which a business locates its headquarters. Domicile governs such matters as the state in which a deceased person's estate is probated, where a party can begin divorce proceedings, and whether there is "diversity of citizenship" between two parties that may give federal courts jurisdiction over a lawsuit. A person may have many residences but only one legal domicile.

Dominant Estate
See: dominant tenement

Dominant Tenement
Property that carries a right to use a portion of a neighboring property (called an easement). For example, property that benefits from a beach access trail across another property is the dominant tenement.

Don't Ask, Don't Tell
The web of policies, laws, and regulations governing how the U.S. military deals with gay, lesbian, and bisexual service members. Under this policy, the military cannot ask about -- and service members cannot be compelled to reveal -- a service member's sexual orientation. Service members can be discharged if they make statements indicating that they are homosexual or bisexual or indicating that they have engaged in (or intend to engage in) homosexual acts.

A gift of property. The IRS allows you to take an income tax deduction for the value of donations made to charitable organizations that are recognized as such by the IRS.

Donative Intent
The conscious desire to make a gift, as distinguished from giving something as a gift by mistake or under pressure.

Someone who receives a gift.

Someone who gives a gift.

Fired for what one writes in a personal blog. The term comes from the name of a website (www.dooce.com) kept by Heather Armstrong, who was fired after she wrote about annoying habits of her coworkers and managers and what she was actually doing when she was supposed to be working at home, among other things.

Double Jeopardy
A rule from the Fifth Amendment to the U S Constitution that prohibits a criminal efendant from being twice made to stand trial for the same offense. A defendant is put "in jeopardy" once the jury is sworn. If the prosecutor moves to dismiss the case after that, the defendant cannot be retried. When a judge dismisses a case, however, a retrial is generally possible unless the dismissal was engineered by the prosecutor's misconduct, or there was no overriding necessity to dismiss the case. Double jeopardy protects defendants only for retrials brought within the original jurisdiction, which is why a defendant can be tried in federal court after being tried in state court. Double jeopardy does not prevent trial in a civil court on underlying facts that previously formed the basis of a criminal trial.

Double Taxation
1) Taxation of corporate dividends twice: once to the corporation as corporate income and then once to the shareholders, if corporate profits are distributed as dividends. 2) Taxation of the same property for the same purpose twice in one year.

Double Wills
See: mutual wills

Double-Entry Accounting
A system of accounting that records each business transaction twice (once as a debit and once as a credit). For example, if you pay your monthly rent of $1,000, you you make a debit of $1,000 to the rent expense account and a credit of $1,000 to cash. Used for tracking inventory, loans, assets, and liabilities. Compare: single-entry accounting

A married couple's right to double the amount of certain property exemptions when filing for bankruptcy together. For example, if a state allows doubling and provides an exemption for equity in a motor vehicle up to $4,000, a married couple filing for bankruptcy together could exempt up to $8,000 in equity.

See: dower and curtesy

Dower And Curtesy
A surviving spouse's right to receive a set portion of the deceased spouse's estate -- usually one-third to one-half. Dower (not to be confused with a dowry) refers to the portion to which a surviving wife is entitled, while curtesy refers to what a man may claim. Until recently, these amounts differed in a number of states. However, because discrimination on the basis of sex is now illegal in most cases, most states have abolished dower and curtesy and generally provide the same benefits regardless of sex -- and this amount is often known simply as the statutory share. Under certain circumstances, a living spouse may not be able to sell or convey property that is subject to the other spouses dower and curtesy or statutory share rights.

Down Payment
A lump sum cash payment paid by a buyer when he or she purchases a major piece of property, such as a car or house. The buyer typically takes out a loan for the balance remaining, and pays it off in monthly installments over time.

The money and personal property a bride brings to her new husband to support and maintain the marriage. Compare: dower

1) A written order for the payment of money, such as a check. The person who writes the draft is called the drawer, the person who holds the money -- for example, the bank -- is called the drawee, and the person who ultimately receives the money is called the payee. After receiving the draft, the payee can demand payment at any time unless the draft specifies a particular time for payment. Also called a bill of exchange. 2) A preliminary version of a written document, such as a law or a legal brief, that is ready for revision or correction. 3) To select for some purpose, such as military service.

Dram Shop Rule

1) The withdrawal of profits from a partnership or LLC by a partner or LLC member. 2) To prepare any legal document. 3) To prepare and sign a bill of exchange or check.

The party who is to be paid on a bill of exchange or check.

The party who signs a bill of exchange directing that it be paid; for example, a person who signs a check.

Dred Scott V. Sandford (1857)

Driving Under The Influence (Dui)
The crime of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, including prescription drugs. State laws specify the level of blood alcohol content at which a person is presumed to be under the influence. Also called driving while intoxicated (DWI and drunk driving).

Driving While Black
Slang for police profiling of drivers who deviate from the ethnic standards of a community -- for example, regularly stopping African American drivers in a Caucasian neighborhood, or stopping Mexican American drivers near U.S. borders.

Driving While Intoxicated
See: driving under the influence (DUI)

Driving While Intoxicated (Dwi)
See: driving under the influence (DUI)

Drop Dead Date
A provision in a contract or a court order that sets the last date that an event can take place (such as payment), or otherwise certain consequences will automatically follow, such as cancelling a contract, taking property, or entering a judgment.

Drunk Driving
See: driving under the influence (DUI)

1) Owed as of a specific date. 2) Immediately enforceable -- for example, payment is due at time of service. 3) Proper, just, or reasonable -- for example, due care.

Due And Owing
See: due

Due Care
See: reasonable care

Due Diligence
Care or attention to a matter that is sufficient enough to avoid a claim of negligence, though not necessarily exhaustive.

Due Process Of Law
A fundamental principle of fairness in all legal matters, both civil and criminal, especially in the courts. All legal procedures set by statute and court practice, including notice of rights, must be followed for each individual so that no prejudicial or unequal treatment will result. While somewhat indefinite, the term can be gauged by its aim to safeguard both private and public rights against unfairness.

Due, Owing, And Unpaid
See: due

Due-On-Sale Clause
A provision in a mortgage or deed of trust that allows the lender to demand immediate payment of the balance of the mortgage upon sale or transfer of ownership of the property used to secure the mortgage. (See: acceleration clause)

See: driving under the influence

A plan by which the owners of a failing business form a new legal entity which then purchases some or all of the assets of the first business for their liquidation value. This can be done informally with the consent of the failing business's creditors, who will use the proceeds to recoup a portion of the money owed to them, or it can be accomplished via a public auction or an assignment for benefit of creditors proceeding. Occasionally "dump-buyback" is also used to describe a business bankruptcy where the owners of the bankrupt business form a new business entity and submit a formal bid to purchase their former assets, usually for a fraction of what was originally owed.

Durable Power Of Attorney
A power of attorney that remains in effect if the person who made the document -- called the principal -- becomes incapacitated. If a power of attorney is not specifically made durable, it automatically expires if the principal becomes incapacitated. (See also: durable power of attorney for finances, durable power of attorney for health care)

Durable Power Of Attorney For Finances

Durable Power Of Attorney For Health Care
A legal document that you can use to give someone permission to make medical decisions for you if you are unable to make those decisions yourself. The person you name to represent you may be called your agent, attorney-in-fact, health care proxy, patient advocate, or something similar, depending on where you live.

The use of force, false imprisonment, coercion, threats, or psychological pressure to compel someone to act contrary to his or her wishes or interests. If, for example, duress is used to make a person sign an agreement or execute a will, a court may find the document null and void. A defendant in a criminal prosecution may raise the defense that others used duress to force him or her to take part in a crime.

1) A legal relationship, created by law or contract, in which a person or business owes something to another. The breach of this obligation can result in liability. 2) A tax on imported goods.

Duty Of Care
The duty of a person or business to act toward others and the public with vigilance, caution, and prudence. Someone whose actions breach the duty of care is considered negligent, and may be sued for resulting damages. (See also: standard of care)

1) Short for driving while intoxicated. 2) Abbreviation for dying without issue (children). (See: driving under the influence)

Dying Declaration
A statement by someone who believes he or she is about to die, relating to the cause or circumstances of that condition. A dying declaration is an exception to the hearsay rule under the Federal Rules of Evidence. In a trial for murder, for example, a witness may be allowed to testify that the victim said, "Frank shot me" while bleeding to death in the street.

Dynamite Charge

Dynasty Trust
A trust designed to pass down family wealth for many generations while avoiding transfer taxes (estate tax and generation-skipping tax) to the greatest extent possible.