Letters Testamentary
A legal document issued by a court that shows an executor's legal right to take control of assets in the deceased person's name.
Liable
Legally responsible.
Libel
Published words or pictures that falsely and maliciously defame a person. Libel is published defamation; slander is spoken.
Lien
A legal claim against another person's property as security for a debt. A lien does not convey ownership of the property, but gives the lien holder a right to have his or her debt satisfied out of the proceeds of the property if the debt is not otherwise paid.
Limine
Raised preliminarily, such as a motion requesting that the court not allow certain evidence that might prejudice the jury.
Limited Jurisdiction
Refers to courts that are limited in the types of criminal and civil cases they may hear. For example, traffic violations generally are heard by limited jurisdiction courts.
Litigant
A party to a lawsuit. Litigation refers to a case, controversy, or lawsuit.
Living Trust
A trust set up and in effect during the lifetime of the grantor.
Magistrate
Judicial officer exercising some of the functions of a judge. It also refers in a general way to a judge.
Malfeasance
Evil doing, ill conduct; the commission of some act that is positively prohibited by law.