Legal Definitions - presents

In legal terminology, particularly within older or very formal documents, the word presents is almost exclusively found as part of the phrase these presents. When used in this way, it refers to the very document itself that contains the statement. It is an archaic but still occasionally encountered way of referring to the legal instrument (such as a contract, deed, will, or official declaration) that the reader is currently examining.

Essentially, "by these presents" means "by this document" or "by this legal instrument."

• Example 1: Property Deed

  Imagine a formal property deed that begins with a declaration like this: "Know all men by these presents that [Grantor's Name] does hereby grant, bargain, sell, and convey unto [Grantee's Name] the following described real property..."

  In this scenario, "these presents" refers directly to the deed document itself. The phrase means that the act of granting and conveying the property is formally declared and legally effected *through the very words contained within this specific deed*.

• Example 2: Last Will and Testament

  A will might contain a clause stating: "I, [Testator's Name], being of sound mind and body, do hereby declare these presents to be my last will and testament, revoking all prior wills and codicils."

  Here, "these presents" refers to the entire will document that the testator is signing. The testator is formally stating that the document they are executing is their definitive and final declaration regarding their estate, making it clear that the document itself embodies their testamentary wishes.

• Example 3: Formal Grant of Authority

  Consider a corporate resolution or a power of attorney document that includes the sentence: "The undersigned corporation does, by these presents, irrevocably appoint [Agent's Name] as its true and lawful attorney-in-fact for the purposes herein stated."

  In this context, "these presents" signifies the specific document (the corporate resolution or power of attorney) through which the corporation is formally granting authority. It means that the appointment of the agent is being made and legally established *by virtue of this particular written instrument*.