Legal Definitions - ad opus

Ad opus is a Latin legal phrase that translates to "for the benefit of" or "for the use of." It describes a situation where an action is performed, or property is held, not for the direct advantage of the person acting or holding, but rather for the advantage or designated use of another party.

• Imagine a grandparent setting up a trust fund for their grandchild's future education. The grandparent appoints a trustee to manage the investments and disburse funds. While the trustee has legal control over the assets, those assets are held ad opus the grandchild. This means the trustee's actions and the funds themselves are solely for the benefit and use of the grandchild, not for the trustee's personal gain.

• Consider a situation where a lawyer receives settlement money on behalf of a client. The lawyer deposits these funds into a client trust account. Although the lawyer has temporary custody and control over the account, the money within it is held ad opus the client. The lawyer is obligated to manage these funds strictly for the client's benefit and to disburse them according to the client's instructions or legal agreements.

• In a real estate transaction, a buyer might place an earnest money deposit with an escrow agent. The escrow agent holds these funds until all conditions of the sale are met. The money is held ad opus both the buyer and the seller, meaning it is for the benefit of whichever party is entitled to it based on the terms of the contract, rather than for the escrow agent's own use. The agent's role is to ensure the funds are released appropriately according to the agreed-upon conditions.