Legal Definitions - abstract

In legal terms, an abstract refers to a concise summary or an abbreviated history of a longer, more detailed official record or document. Its primary purpose is to present the most important facts, events, or key information in a condensed format, allowing for quick review of essential details without requiring a full reading of the original document. An abstract typically focuses on factual content and avoids offering analysis, opinion, or interpretation.

Here are some examples of how the term "abstract" is used in a legal context:

• Abstract of a Last Will and Testament: Imagine a situation where a family member passes away, and their will is a lengthy document detailing numerous specific bequests, trusts, and conditions. An attorney might create an abstract of the will. This document would summarize the most critical information, such as who the executor is, the primary beneficiaries, the distribution of major assets, and any significant conditions, without reproducing every clause or minor detail from the original will.

  This illustrates "abstract" because it provides a condensed, factual overview of a complex legal document, highlighting the essential provisions for quick understanding by interested parties.

• Abstract of a Court Judgment: After a complex civil lawsuit concludes, the court issues a detailed judgment outlining its findings, the legal reasoning, and the specific orders. For purposes of recording the judgment in public records or for a party to quickly understand the outcome, an abstract of judgment might be prepared. This abstract would typically state the names of the parties involved, the court that issued the judgment, the date it was entered, the amount of any monetary award, and any specific actions the parties are ordered to take or refrain from taking. It would not include all the arguments, evidence summaries, or detailed legal analysis found in the full judgment.

  This example demonstrates "abstract" as a summary of an official court record, extracting the core outcome and key directives without delving into the extensive procedural history or legal arguments.

• Abstract of Corporate Filings: When an investor or a business partner wants to quickly assess the legal standing and basic structure of a company, they might request an abstract of its corporate filings. This document would summarize key information from the company's official records filed with the state, such as its articles of incorporation, any amendments, and annual reports. It would typically include the company's legal name, date of incorporation, registered agent, principal place of business, and authorized share structure, without presenting every page of every historical filing.

  This illustrates "abstract" by providing an abbreviated history of official public records, allowing for a swift review of a company's foundational legal information.