Legal terms starting with E

Federal law allowing electronic signatures to have the same legal effect as handwritten ones.

The right to use someone else's land for a specific purpose, like crossing it or running utilities.

When specific items are listed followed by general words, the general words apply only to items of the same kind.

A surviving spouse's right to claim a portion of the deceased spouse's estate despite the will.

The specific facts and mental states that the prosecution must prove to establish guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

The legal ability to compel someone to follow through on a contract's terms in court.

A longer or harsher sentence imposed when certain aggravating factors or prior convictions are present.

A clause stating that the written contract contains the complete and final agreement between the parties.

A contract provision stating that the written agreement is the complete and final deal between parties.

When government agents induce someone to commit a crime they wouldn't otherwise commit.

A court remedy other than money, like ordering someone to do or stop doing something.

Court-ordered solutions (like injunctions or specific performance) that go beyond simply awarding money.

Property passes to the state when a person dies with no will and no heirs.

Money or documents held by a neutral third party until transaction conditions are met.

A federal tax on the total value of a deceased person's estate.

A legal rule preventing someone from contradicting their own prior actions or words.

A breakdown in relationship between family members, often relevant in inheritance or custody disputes.

The legal process by which a landlord removes a tenant from rental property.

Information, documents, or physical items presented in court to prove or disprove facts.

Evidence obtained illegally cannot be used in court against a defendant.

A contract provision requiring one or both parties to deal exclusively with each other and not with competitors.

A legal reason why someone doesn't have to perform their contract obligations.

A contract in which both parties have fully performed all their obligations.

A contract where both parties have fully performed all their obligations.

The person appointed to carry out the instructions in a will.

A contract in which one or both parties still have duties to perform in the future.

A contract where one or both parties still have obligations to perform in the future.

Money awarded to put a party in the position they would have been in if the contract had been fully performed.

A person with specialized knowledge who testifies in court about technical or scientific matters beyond ordinary understanding.

A requirement clearly stated in a contract that must happen for obligations to arise.

Conditions that the parties explicitly state in a contract.

A contract where the parties clearly state all terms, either in writing or orally.

A clear, direct promise about a product's quality, performance, or characteristics.

A legal process that erases or seals a criminal conviction from your record.

Obtaining money, property, or services from someone through coercion, typically using threats or intimidation.