CourtHelp Legal Glossary

Organizations that give free legal advice, representation, and other legal services to low-income people.

A New York City Agency that gives legal representation in many of areas of law.

Having the right and responsibility to make decisions about a child’s health, education and well being. There are two types of legal custody orders: joint legal custody and sole (one parent only) legal custody.

A written and signed agreement between spouses where they live apart from each other while remaining married. This formal agreement is filed when filing for a divorce.

Any person supposed to receive personal property under a will.

A person who rents real or personal property and has a lease.

A person who gives the right to use his or her property in a lease.

Document made by the court appointing a person or corporation as a fiduciary.

A court paper that allows a person called the conservator to act for another person.

1. When a sheriff or a marshal enforces a judgment by taking property, for example, money, a car or a house. 2. To force a tax or a fine on someone.

A sheriff or marshal that is given the power to take, tax or fine a judgment debtor's property.

1. A person’s responsibility to do or to not do something. 2. A person’s responsibility for causing an injury.

False and malicious (lies) written or published material that is defamatory (insulting) and hurts a person's reputation.

A book used for keeping a record of specific documents or events having a legal effect.

Permission to do something that without permission is illegal.

Someone given permission to stay in a home without paying rent.

A claim on property, for example, a house or a bank account, for the payment of a debt.

An arrangement with a lawyer to get help on some parts of a case for a set fee or limited fees. Also called “unbundled legal services” or “unbundling.”

Latin for “a pending suit.” 1. Jurisdiction of a court over property until the final decision of a case. 2. A notice filed against public records warning the public that title to the property is in litigation (in court and not final).

The parties (sides) involved in a court case.

To take part in a court case.

A court case or lawsuit. The people involved in lawsuits (plaintiffs and defendants) are called litigants

See child support enforcement (CSE) agency.

When a landlord locks a tenant out of the rental unit without permission of the court. Lockouts, and all other self-help evictions are illegal.

A person who lives in a room in another’s house. The owner can enter all areas occupied by the lodger, and has control of the house.