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...
marriage
AB Trust
AB trust (also called a bypass trust or a credit shelter trust) is a tool used by well-off married individuals to legally maximize their estate tax exemptions.
The strategy involves creating two separate trusts after one...
abandon
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.
...abandonment
Abandonment is a term that applies to a variety of areas of law. These areas include matrimonial law, civil procedure, and property.
Matrimonial LawIn matrimonial law, abandonment is a form of marital misconduct which...
absolute
Absolute is used commonly in property law and in divorce law meaning final or without limitations.
Property: Absolute is used in property law to describe an estate that is free from any limitations. Only a fee simple may be...abuse
Abuse is an action that intentionally causes harm or injures another person. This can refer to physical abuse, psychological abuse, mental abuse, or child abuse (see below).
Abuse is also to misuse something - e.g., abuse...
adult
An adult is an individual who has reached the age of majority. The age of majority refers to the age at which a person will be defined by law to be an adult. This will be accompanied by the rights and responsibilities of adulthood. The age of...
adultery
Adultery is a form of extramarital sexual intercourse between a married person and a person who is not a party to the marriage. In a fault divorce, adultery is one of the grounds for divorce. In addition to obtaining a divorce, some states...
age of consent
In family law, age of consent refers to the age one can give meaningful consent. If over the age of 18 years, meaningful consent is presumed. However the presumption may be negated if the person lacked capacity due to developmental disability...
age of majority
The age of majority refers to the age at which an individual will be legally considered an adult. It is the age at which one will be subject to the full legal rights and responsibilities of an adult, including the right to vote, the right to...