Name: Rachel Matias
Date: May 10, 2010
Class: Family Law
Keys Words & Definitions:
1. Common Law- the traditional unwritten law of England based on custom and usage, which began to develop over a thousand years before the founding of the United States.
2. Personal Property- movable assets (things, including animals) which are not real property, money or investments.
3. Real Property- all land, structures, firmly attached and integrated equipment (such as light fixtures or a well pump), anything growing on the land, and all "interests" in the property,
n. a short form of "real estate
4. Contracts- is an agreement with specific terms between two or more persons or entities in which there is a promise to do something in return for a valuable benefit known as consideration.
5. Testamentary Capacity-n. Having the mental competency to execute a will at the time the will was signed and witnessed. To have testamentary capacity, the author of the will must understand the nature of making a will, have a general idea of what he/she possesses, and knows who are the members of the immediate family or other "natural objects of his/her bounty."
6. Incest- sexual intercourse between close blood relatives, including brothers and sisters, parents and children, grandparents and grandchildren, or aunts or uncles with nephews or nieces. It is a crime in all states, even if consensual by both parties. However, it is often co-existent with sexual abuse since usually the younger person is a victim of the predatory sexual activities of an older relative. Recently, it has drawn more attention as people began talking about the "silent crime," which is often covered up by a wife fearful of losing a husband, or the memory has been suppressed by the youthful victims. One problem is that on the surface the family may appear to be "All-American" while abusive incest continues. In 18 states incest also includes copulation or cohabitation between first cousins, but...