Category: US Courts Glossary

Akin to a preliminary injunction, it is a judge’s short-term order forbidding certain actions until a full hearing can be conducted. Often […]

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. […]

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

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 […]

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 […]

An officer of the U.S. Department of Justice responsible for supervising the administration of bankruptcy cases, estates, and trustees; monitoring plans and […]

Sentencing option in the federal courts. With probation, instead of sending an individual to prison, the court releases the person to the […]

The rules for conducting a lawsuit; there are rules of civil procedure, criminal procedure, evidence, bankruptcy, and appellate procedure. Source: US Courts […]

A written statement describing the reason a debtor owes a creditor money, which typically sets forth the amount of money owed. (There […]

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 […]

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

A procedure in a Chapter 7 case whereby a debtor removes a secured creditor’s lien on collateral by paying the creditor the […]

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 […]

A penalty or other type of enforcement used to bring about compliance with the law or with rules and regulations. Source: US […]

Lists submitted by the debtor along with the petition (or shortly thereafter) showing the debtor’s assets, liabilities, and other financial information. (There […]

A secured creditor is an individual or business that holds a claim against the debtor that is secured by a lien on […]

Debt backed by a mortgage, pledge of collateral, or other lien; debt for which the creditor has the right to pursue specific […]

A federal judge who, after attaining the requisite age and length of judicial experience, takes senior status, thus creating a vacancy among […]