Simple English definitions for legal terms
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Definition: An act that is intended to create, transfer, or extinguish a right and that is effective in law for that purpose; the exercise of a legal power.
Examples:
These examples illustrate how an act in the law can be used to create, transfer, or extinguish legal rights. By signing a contract to buy a house, the buyer is creating a legal obligation to purchase the property and the seller is transferring their right to the property. Creating a will allows the testator to transfer their property to designated beneficiaries after their death. Extinguishing a debt by paying it off terminates the legal obligation to repay the debt.