Probate

Probate is the legal process through which a deceased person’s estate is administered and distributed under the supervision of a court. The process is used to validate a will, identify and inventory the decedent’s assets, pay outstanding debts and taxes, and transfer...

Consideration

Consideration is a fundamental element of a legally enforceable real estate contract and refers to something of value exchanged between the parties involved in the agreement. In most real estate transactions, consideration takes the form of money, services, promises,...

Fee Simple Absolute

Fee simple absolute is the highest and most complete form of property ownership recognized under modern real estate law. It grants the owner full possessory rights to the property for an indefinite duration, including the rights to occupy, use, sell, lease, transfer,...

Easement Appurtenant

An easement appurtenant is a legal right attached to a parcel of real property that allows the owner of one property to use or benefit from a neighboring property for a specific purpose. The property benefiting from the easement is known as the dominant estate, while...

Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988 (FHAA)

The Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988 (FHAA) is a federal law that expanded and strengthened the protections established under the Fair Housing Act of 1968. Enacted as Title VIII amendments to the Civil Rights Act, the FHAA prohibits discrimination in the sale,...

Acceleration Clause

An acceleration clause is a provision commonly found in mortgage agreements and promissory notes that gives the lender the right to demand immediate repayment of the entire remaining loan balance if the borrower violates certain terms of the loan. The clause is most...