Akin to a preliminary injunction, it is a judge's short-term order forbidding certain actions until a full hearing can be conducted. Often referred to as a TRO.

Source: US Courts Glossary

Evidence presented orally by witnesses during trials or before grand juries.

Source: US Courts Glossary

See statute of limitations.

Source: US Courts Glossary

A civil, not criminal, wrong. A negligent or intentional injury against a person or property, with the exception of breach of contract.

Source: US Courts Glossary

A written, word-for-word record of what was said, either in a proceeding such as a trial, or during some other formal conversation, such as a hearing or oral deposition

Source: US Courts Glossary

Any mode or means by which a debtor disposes of or parts with his/her property.

Source: US Courts Glossary

The representative of the bankruptcy estate who exercises statutory powers, principally for the benefit of the unsecured creditors, under the general supervision of the court and the direct supervision of the U.S. trustee or bankruptcy administrator. The trustee is a private individual or corporation appointed in all chapter 7, chapter 12, and chapter 13 cases and some chapter 11 cases. The trustee's responsibilities include reviewing the debtor's petition and schedules and bringing actions against creditors or the debtor to recover property of the bankruptcy estate. In chapter 7, the trustee liquidates property of the estate, and makes distributions to creditors.

Source: http://www.uscourts.gov/glossary

A business not authorized to practice law that prepares bankruptcy petitions.

Source: US Courts Glossary

A lawyer appointed by the President in each judicial district to prosecute and defend cases for the federal government. The U.S. Attorney employs a staff of Assistant U.S. Attorneys who appear as the government's attorneys in individual cases.

Source: US Courts Glossary

An officer of the U.S. Department of Justice responsible for supervising the administration of bankruptcy cases, estates, and trustees; monitoring plans and disclosure statements; monitoring creditors' committees; monitoring fee applications; and performing other statutory duties.

Source: US Courts Glossary

Sentencing option in the federal courts. With probation, instead of sending an individual to prison, the court releases the person to the community and orders him or her to complete a period of supervision monitored by a U.S. probation officer and to abide by certain conditions.

Source: US Courts Glossary

The rules for conducting a lawsuit; there are rules of civil procedure, criminal procedure, evidence, bankruptcy, and appellate procedure.

Source: US Courts Glossary

A written statement describing the reason a debtor owes a creditor money, which typically sets forth the amount of money owed. (There is an official form for this purpose.)

Source: US Courts Glossary

All legal or equitable interests of the debtor in property as of the commencement of the case.

Source: US Courts Glossary

To charge someone with a crime. A prosecutor tries a criminal case on behalf of the government

Source: US Courts Glossary

An agreement by a debtor to continue paying a dischargeable debt after the bankruptcy, usually for the purpose of keeping collateral or mortgaged property that would otherwise be subject to repossession.

Source: US Courts Glossary

A written account of the proceedings in a case, including all pleadings, evidence, and exhibits submitted in the course of the case.

Source: US Courts Glossary

A procedure in a Chapter 7 case whereby a debtor removes a secured creditor's lien on collateral by paying the creditor the value of the property. The debtor may then retain the property.

Source: US Courts Glossary

Send back.

Source: US Courts Glossary

The act of a court setting aside the decision of a lower court. A reversal is often accompanied by a remand to the lower court for further proceedings.

Source: US Courts Glossary

A penalty or other type of enforcement used to bring about compliance with the law or with rules and regulations.

Source: US Courts Glossary

Lists submitted by the debtor along with the petition (or shortly thereafter) showing the debtor's assets, liabilities, and other financial information. (There are official forms a debtor must use.)

Source: US Courts Glossary

A secured creditor is an individual or business that holds a claim against the debtor that is secured by a lien on property of the estate. The property subject to the lien is the secured creditor's collateral.

Source: US Courts Glossary

Debt backed by a mortgage, pledge of collateral, or other lien; debt for which the creditor has the right to pursue specific pledged property upon default. Examples include home mortgages, auto loans and tax liens.

Source: US Courts Glossary

A federal judge who, after attaining the requisite age and length of judicial experience, takes senior status, thus creating a vacancy among a court's active judges. A senior judge retains the judicial office and may cut back his or her workload by as much as 75 percent, but many opt to keep a larger caseload.

Source: US Courts Glossary