707(b) action
707(b) action is defined in Chapter 7 of the United States Bankruptcy code as a motion by the court, the United States trustee, the trustee, the administrator, or any party in interest to
707(b) action is defined in Chapter 7 of the United States Bankruptcy code as a motion by the court, the United States trustee, the trustee, the administrator, or any party in interest to
A fortiori refers to an argument based on an even stronger previous argument. In Latin, the term literally means ‘from [the] stronger.’
The argument implies that if the first is true, the second is even more likely to be true.
A posteriori is used to describe knowledge gained from experience or actual observation. It is a Latin phrase that means "from what is later.” This is generally used to mean after the facts.
For example, someone would have a posteriori knowledge that it is snowing after physically going outside to check the weather.
A priori refers to an assertion based on prior knowledge or intuition. In Latin, the term literally means “from what is earlier.” An a priori determination is formed before investigation. For example, assuming that the road will be wet when it stops raining a minute before would be a priori reasoning.
A priori is the opposite of a posteriori, or after-the-fact knowledge.
An a priori assumption is an assumption that is presumed to be true without any assessment of the facts or without further proof.
A.K.A. is the abbreviation of “also known as.” It is often used to specify a party’s aliases or nicknames in a case.
[Last reviewed in November of 2024 by the Wex Definitions Team]
Ab initio is a Latin term that means "from the beginning” or “from inception.” Ab initio is used to indicate that some fact existed from the start of a relevant time period. It is often used as part of the phrase “void ab initio,” meaning something – such as a marriage – was void from the beginning.
ABA is an abbreviation for American Bar Association (ABA).
[Last reviewed in June of 2022 by the Wex Definitions Team]
Abandon refers to the act of abandonment. A party can “abandon” in multiple fields of law and abandoning generally, though not always, involves voluntarily giving up a right.
See abandonment for more information.
[Last reviewed in June of 2022 by the Wex Definitions Team]
Abandoned property is personal property that was left by an owner who intentionally relinquishes all rights to its control. Real property may not be abandoned (see also adverse possession).