Legal Glossary
Plain-English explanations of 55 legal terms used across our services.
General Legal
4 termsAttorney Ghostwriting (Document Preparation)
A licensed attorney drafts legal documents for you to file under your own name.
Attorney Trust Account (IOLTA)
Interest on Lawyers' Trust Accounts — a regulated account that safeguards client funds.
Limited-Scope Representation (Document-Only Legal Help)
An attorney prepares your documents but does not appear in court on your behalf.
Self-Represented (Pro Se)
Representing yourself in court without an attorney. You file and argue your own case.
Court & Civil Procedure
17 termsCertificate of Service (Proof of Delivery)
A document attached to every court filing certifying that you sent a copy to all other parties. Required on virtually every filing you make.
Contempt of Court
Willful disobedience of a court order. Can result in fines, jail time, or other sanctions. Common in family law when a parent violates custody or support orders.
Continuance (Postponement)
A postponement of a court hearing or trial to a later date. Must be requested by motion and granted by the judge. Not automatically approved.
Default Judgment (Win by No-Show)
A judgment entered against a party who fails to respond to a lawsuit or appear in court. Can often be opened (reversed) within 30 days if you show a reasonable excuse.
Discovery (Pre-Trial Evidence Exchange)
The process where both sides share evidence and information before trial.
Interrogatories (Written Questions Under Oath)
Formal written questions that the other party must answer under oath as part of discovery.
Jurisdiction (Court Authority)
A court's legal authority to hear a case. Includes subject-matter jurisdiction (type of case) and personal jurisdiction (authority over the parties).
Military Service Check (Service Members Affidavit)
A required sworn statement verifying whether the opposing party is on active military duty.
Motion to Compel (Force Compliance)
A request asking the court to order the opposing party to comply with discovery requests or other legal obligations they are ignoring.
Praecipe (Written Request to the Court)
A formal written request asking the court to take a specific action.
Preliminary Objections (Legal Challenges)
PA's version of a motion to dismiss. Filed within 20 days of service to challenge the legal sufficiency of a complaint, improper venue, or other procedural defects.
Statute of Limitations (Filing Deadline)
The legal deadline for filing a lawsuit. In PA: 2 years for personal injury, 4 years for contracts, 6 years for fraud. Miss this deadline and you lose your right to sue.
Stipulation (Agreement Between Parties)
A formal agreement between parties in a lawsuit on a particular matter. Often filed with the court to become part of the official record.
Subpoena (Court Order to Appear or Produce Documents)
A legal order requiring a person to appear in court or provide documents.
Summary Judgment (Decision Without Trial)
A court ruling that decides a case (or part of it) without a full trial because there is no genuine dispute about the material facts.
Venue (Where to File)
The specific court location where a case should be filed. Usually where the defendant lives or where the events giving rise to the claim occurred.
Wage Garnishment (Court-Ordered Pay Deduction)
A court order directing an employer to withhold part of someone's wages to pay a debt.
Landlord-Tenant
6 termsAffidavit (Sworn Written Statement)
A written statement of facts that you sign under oath, confirming the information is true.
Counterclaim (Your Claims Against the Other Party)
A legal claim you file against the person who sued you, as part of the same case.
Domestic Violence Affidavit (Sworn Statement for DV Cases)
A sworn statement describing domestic violence, used to support protective orders or lease termination.
Failure-to-Vacate Affidavit (Tenant Didn't Leave)
A landlord's sworn statement that the tenant has not moved out after the court ordered them to.
Notice to Quit (Formal Move-Out Notice)
A written notice from a landlord telling a tenant to leave the property by a specific date.
Stop-Eviction Filing (Supersedeas Affidavit)
A sworn filing that pauses an eviction while your appeal is pending. Requires posting a bond equal to rent.
Divorce & Family Law
9 termsBest Interest Standard
The legal standard used in all PA custody decisions. Courts weigh 16 statutory factors (§ 5328) to determine what arrangement best serves the child's physical, emotional, and developmental needs.
Child's Court Advocate (Guardian Ad Litem)
An attorney or professional appointed by the court to represent the best interests of a child in custody, abuse, or dependency proceedings.
Custody Conciliation Conference
A mandatory first step in Allegheny County custody cases where a court-appointed conciliator helps parents try to reach agreement before going to trial.
Fair Division of Property (Equitable Distribution)
Pennsylvania's method of dividing marital property in a divorce — 'equitable' means fair, not necessarily 50/50. Courts weigh 11 factors under 23 Pa.C.S.A. § 3502.
Mutual-Consent Divorce (§3301(c))
Pennsylvania's no-fault divorce option where both spouses agree to end the marriage.
Protective Order (PFA)
A civil court order that prohibits an abuser from contacting, harassing, or coming near the victim. Can include eviction from the shared home and temporary custody.
Standing as a Parent (In Loco Parentis)
A legal doctrine allowing a non-parent (grandparent, stepparent) who has assumed a parent-like role to seek custody rights. Must show a sustained, substantial relationship with the child.
Temporary Spousal Support (APL)
Financial support paid by one spouse to the other during the divorce proceedings. Calculated at 40% of the income difference (30% if children receive support).
Two-Year Separation Divorce (§3301(d))
Pennsylvania's no-fault divorce option when one spouse does not consent, requiring a two-year separation.
Estate Planning & Probate
11 termsAdvance Directive (Living Will)
A legal document expressing your wishes about medical treatment if you become unable to communicate. In PA, includes living will and healthcare power of attorney.
Codicil (Will Amendment)
A legal document that makes changes to an existing will without replacing it entirely.
Intestate (Dying Without a Will)
When someone dies without a valid will. PA's intestacy laws (20 Pa.C.S.A. § 2101 et seq.) determine how assets are distributed based on family relationships.
Letters Testamentary (Executor Authority)
A court document granting the executor (personal representative) legal authority to act on behalf of a deceased person's estate. Issued by the Register of Wills.
Living Will (End-of-Life Wishes)
A document that spells out your medical care preferences if you can no longer communicate.
Personal Representative (Executor/Administrator)
The person responsible for managing a deceased person's estate. Called 'executor' if named in a will, 'administrator' if appointed by the court when there is no will.
Power of Attorney (Appoint a Decision-Maker)
A legal document authorizing someone to make decisions on your behalf if you're unable to.
Probate (Estate Administration)
The court-supervised process of distributing a deceased person's assets, paying debts, and settling the estate. Handled by the Orphans' Court in PA.
QDRO (Retirement Account Division)
A court order that divides retirement accounts (401k, pensions) between divorcing spouses. Must be approved by the plan administrator to avoid tax penalties.
Revocable Living Trust (Avoid Probate)
A trust you create during your lifetime that can be changed or cancelled. Assets in the trust skip probate.
Self-Proving Affidavit (Speeds Up Probate)
A sworn statement signed with your will that helps the court accept it without calling witnesses.
Business & Corporate
7 termsCertificate of Organization (Formation Document)
The document filed with the PA Department of State to legally create an LLC. Includes the LLC name, registered office, and management structure.
DBA / Fictitious Name
Required in PA when conducting business under a name different from your legal name or registered entity name. Filed with the Department of State ($70 fee).
EIN (Tax ID Number)
A federal tax identification number assigned by the IRS. Required to open business bank accounts, hire employees, and file business tax returns. Free to obtain.
LLC (Limited Liability Company)
A business structure that provides personal liability protection while allowing flexible management and pass-through taxation. Governed by PULLCA in PA. Filing fee: $125.
Operating Agreement (LLC Rules)
A contract among LLC members governing ownership, management, profit sharing, and dissolution. Not required by PA law but essential for protecting your business.
Piercing the Corporate Veil
When a court holds business owners personally liable for business debts because they failed to maintain proper separation between personal and business finances.
Registered Agent (Registered Office)
A person or office in PA designated to receive legal documents and official correspondence on behalf of a business entity. PA uses 'registered office' rather than 'registered agent.'
Financial & Fees
1 termsFee Waiver (In Forma Pauperis)
A court filing that lets you waive or reduce court fees if you can't afford them.