Legal Definitions - single

In a legal context, the term single refers to either:

• An individual who is not married, divorced, or widowed.
• Something that is one, unique, or undivided, rather than multiple or composite.

Here are some examples illustrating how "single" is used in legal situations:

• Example 1 (Family Law/Estate Planning): When drafting a will, a single parent might designate a guardian for their minor children, a decision directly influenced by their unmarried status.

  Explanation: In this scenario, "single" refers to the parent's marital status, highlighting how being unmarried impacts legal decisions regarding dependents and estate planning.

• Example 2 (Contract Law): A business agreement might specify a single point of contact for all communications regarding the contract, ensuring clarity and avoiding confusion.

  Explanation: Here, "single" means one exclusive individual or entity is designated to handle all official interactions, streamlining the legal process and accountability.

• Example 3 (Property Law/Transactions): When purchasing a property, a buyer might request a single deed for multiple adjacent parcels of land, consolidating ownership under one legal document.

  Explanation: This demonstrates "single" referring to one unified legal instrument (the deed) that covers what might otherwise be several separate documents, simplifying the legal record of ownership.