Terms Used In Louisiana Codes > Code of Civil Procedure > BOOK VI > Title V > Chapter 1 - General Dispositions

• Affidavit: A written statement of facts confirmed by the oath of the party making it, before a notary or officer having authority to administer oaths.
• Assets: (1) The property comprising the estate of a deceased person, or (2) the property in a trust account.
• Attachment: A procedure by which a person's property is seized to pay judgments levied by the court.
• Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
• Decedent: A deceased person.
• Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
• Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
• Intestate: Dying without leaving a will.
• Mortgage: The written agreement pledging property to a creditor as collateral for a loan.
• Probate: Proving a will
• Service of process: The service of writs or summonses to the appropriate party.
• Statute: A law passed by a legislature.
• Testate: To die leaving a will.
• Writ: A formal written command, issued from the court, requiring the performance of a specific act.