Closeup of the bottom of an open book on a table

Glossary

All | A B C D E G H I J L M N O P Q R S T U V W

Earning Assignment Order

Court order delivered (“served”) by a levying officer or registered process server that directs a judgment debtor’s employer to withhold the earnings of the judgment debtor for the purpose of wage garnishment.

Earnings Assignment

A way for an employee to transfer (or “assign”) portions of his or her future paychecks to pay a debt, like child support.

Emancipation

A legal way for children to become adults before they’re 18. Once a child is emancipated, his or her parents don’t have custody or control of him or her anymore. If you are emancipated, you can do some things without your parent’s permission, like: Get medical care; Apply for a work permit; Sign up for school or college; and live where you want to.

Equitable

Describes civil suits in “equity” instead of in “law.” In the legal history of England, courts of “law” could order only the payment of damages. But courts of “equity” could order someone to do something or to stop doing something. In American law, courts have power both in law and in equity. But usually, there can be trial by jury in “law” cases but not in “equity” cases.

To deal fairly and equally with all concerned. This implies not only a fair or just decision based on the law, but also a judgment guided by common-sense ideas of fairness and justice.

Estoppel

An act or statement that prevents a person from later making claims to the contrary.

Evidence

Proof in the form of witnesses, records, documents, exhibits, concrete objects, etc., for the purpose of inducing belief in the minds of the court.

Ex-Parte Application

Due process requires that requests of a party be heard on noticed motion so that the other party may have the opportunity to review the requests and submit evidence and citation to legal authority in opposition to the requests. Motions are, therefore, typically heard by the Court approximately three weeks after they are filed with the Court. Ex-parte applications are an exception to the due process requirement and allow a court to make temporary orders where there exists exigent circumstances and where irreparable harm would occur if the requests were not heard immediately. In some circumstances, ex-parte applications may be heard by the Court without any notice to the other party.

Exhibit

An item of physical / tangible evidence which is to be or has been offered to the court for inspection.

Glossary

Call us for an appointment today and see how RELM can assist you.