The Legal Lexicon.

Understanding the language of the court is the first step in claiming your jurisdiction.

Adjudicate

"To settle definitively in a court of law. From the Latin 'adjudicare'—to pass judgment upon."

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Affidavit

"A voluntary declaration of facts written down and sworn to by the declarant before an officer authorized to administer oaths."

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Alimony (Spousal Support)

"A court-ordered allowance one spouse pays to the other for maintenance and support during or after a legal separation or divorce."

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Cause of Action

"A group of operative facts giving rise to one or more bases for suing; a factual situation that entitles one person to obtain a remedy in court from another person."

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Equitable Distribution

"The fair and just division of property acquired during marriage, regardless of whose name is actually on the title."

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Expungement

"The physical destruction or sealing of criminal records so that they are no longer accessible to the general public."

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Jurisdiction

"The lawful power of expression — the court's power to decide a case or issue a decree."

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Notice to Quit

"A landlord's written notice demanding that a tenant vacate the premises by a certain date or face eviction proceedings."

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Pro Se

"Appearing for oneself, as in the case of one who does not retain a lawyer and appears for himself or herself in court."

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