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Most Popular Legal Definitions

life estate

A right to use and enjoy land only for the life of the life tenant.

articles of incorporation

the basic charter of a corporation which spells out the name, basic purpose, amount and types of stock which may be issue, and any special characteristics such as being non-profit

act of God

unpreventable natural catastrophe, such as; an earthquake, tidal wave, volcanic eruption, hurricane, or tornado; an act of God is determined on two grounds: 1) the extent of damage and chaos they wreak 2) the impingement on established contracts, which often state that "acts of God" are admissible excuses for delay or failure to fulfill a commitment; many insurance policies exempt coverage for damage caused by acts of God.

contract

an agreement between persons which obliges each party to do or not to do a certain thing

perpetuity

The state of being endless and forever.

churning

The unethical and usually illegal practice of excessive buying and selling of shares for a stock for a customer by a stockbroker or sales agent for the purpose of obtaining high sales commissions.

charge

1) In a criminal case, the statement of what crime the party is accused of. 2) In jury trials, the oral instructions by the judge to the jurors just before the jury begins deliberations. This 
charge is based on jury instructions submitted by attorneys on both sides and agreed upon by the trial judge. 3) a fee for services.

capital stock

The original amount paid by investors into a corporation for its issued stock. Capital stock also does not reflect the value of corporate assets, which can go up or down based on profits, losses, or purchases of equipment. Capital stock remains as a ledger entry at the original price.

buy-sell agreement

contract among owners of a business which provides terms for their purchase of a withdrawing partner's or stockholder's interest in the enterprise

age discrimination

employer's unfair treatment of a current or potential employee up to the age of 70; illegal under the Age Discrimination Unemployment Act (1967)