Marital Master: A judicial officer appointed by the courts to hear martial proceedings and make reports which are approved by judges and then become decisions of the court.

Misdemeanor: A crime, the punishment for which, does not exceed one year in jail.

Motion: A request to the court to make an order or ruling in favor of the party that has submitted it.

Personal Property: Any property that is not land or buildings; a bicycle, a car, a cat and a checking account are all examples of personal property.

Petition: A formal written request requesting that something be done.

Plaintiff: The person who is suing in a civil proceeding.

Plat Plan: A map that shows the relation of property to other property, including landmarks such as roads and rivers.

PLLC: Professional Limited Liability Company: the same thing as a Limited Liability Company, but used for those deemed "professional" by the statute.

Power of Attorney: A signed document that confers upon a person the power or authority to perform certain tasks on another's behalf.

Preliminary Hearing: In a criminal case, it is a hearing that is held for the sole purpose of determining if there is sufficient evidence to continue to hold the accused and proceed to trial. In a civil case, it is a hearing held to determine orders that should remain in effect pending final orders in the case.

Purchase and Sale Agreement: An agreement between a buyer and seller which sets forth the terms of the sale. Also known as a "P&S", it is required to have a binding agreement for the sale of real property.

Quiet Title: A court action brought to determine ownership of a specific piece of real property.

Real Estate (or Real Property): Land and buildings; all other property is personal property.

Registry of Deeds: A place for recording real estate transactions that provides third parties with notice of a property's true owner or any claims being made to the property.

Res judicata: The thing has been decided. A judgment that is considered final and bars relitigation on the same matter.

Return: A report from an official, usually the sheriff, stating that he has done what the court has ordered, or explaining why he was incapable of doing it.