Common Legal Terms
These are common terms we find when doing family research. This list is by no means all inclusive. If you have comments, a better definition, or additional terms, please email the County Coordinator.
a.a.s. - died in the year of his/her age (anno aetitis suae) (86 years
old and died in the year 86)
bond - marriage, indenture, guardian (click on bond)
d.s.p. - died without issue (decessit sine prole legitima)
d.s.p.l. - died without legitimate issue (decessit sine prole mascula
supesita)
d.s.p.m.s. - died without surviving male issue (decessit sine prole mascula
supersita)
d.s.p.s. - died without surviving issue (decessit sine prole supersita)
d.unm - died unmarried
d.v.p. - died in the lifetime of his father (decessit vita patris)
d.v.m. - died in the lifetime of his mother (decessit vita matris)
Et al - other parties are involved, but not listed in the name of the case.
There can be many other defendants. (et alia)
Ex P - sometimes used at the beginning of the name of a case, for example,
Ex P Charles Smith. It is usually used to refer to a case that has been
appealed as another way to designate that other parties are involved and
multiple appeals have been filed. It can also be used when one party may
want to remain anonymous and files a motion with the court. (Ex Parte)
heirs-at-law - anyone who would legally be considered an heir to a deceased
person
Inst - present month (instans)
intestate - one who dies without a will
Liber - book or volume
Nepos - grandson
Nunc Nuncapative - will, an oral will, written by a witness
Ob - he/she died (obit)
Relict - widow or widower (relicta/relictus)
Sic - so or thus, exact copy as written
testator - one who dies with a valid will
Testis - legal witnesses
Utl - late (ultimo)
Ux or vs - wife (uxor)
Viz - namely (videlicet)
