Temporary guardian: Sometimes a guardian is required during the time that the court is processing the general guardianship request. A temporary guardianship may be granted until a permanent arrangement can be made. Such a guardian can either be responsible for the person, the estate, or both.
Temporary restraining order (TRO): A court order, sometimes called a "TRO," that says a person must not do certain things that are likely to cause harm that can't be fixed. Unlike an injunction, it can be granted immediately, without notice to the opposing party and without a hearing. It is intended to last only until a hearing can be held. TROs are often used in domestic violence cases to protect a person from violence or the threat of violence.
Temporary judge: An attorney who volunteers his or her time to hear and decide cases. Also called a "pro tem judge."
Tenancy: The tenant's exclusive right, created by a rental agreement between the landlord and the tenant, to use and possess the landlord's rental unit.
Tenant: A person who rents or leases a rental unit from a landlord. The tenant obtains the right to the exclusive use and possession of the rental unit during the lease or rental period.
Tenant screening service: A business that collects and sells information on tenants, such as whether they pay their rent on time and whether they have been defendants in unlawful detainer lawsuits.
Termination of parental rights: Termination of parental rights is the severing of the parent-child relationship by the state. This decision may be made based on abandonment by a parent, child abuse, unfitness of a parent, or other injuries to a child.
Testify: To give evidence under oath as a witness in a court proceeding.
Testimony: Evidence presented orally by witnesses during trials, before grand juries, or during administrative proceedings.
Thirty-day notice: A written notice from a landlord to a tenant telling the tenant that the tenancy will end in 30 days. A thirty-day notice usually does not have to state the landlord's reason for ending the tenancy.
Three-day notice: see eviction notice.
Till tap levy: A judgment enforcement procedure in which the levying officer makes a trip to a business and picks up the moneey in the cash register or cash box. Many counties now combine this procedure with a keeper.
Tort: A private or civil wrong; failure to perform some duty required by law or custom, resulting in harm to another. The victim of a tort may have the right to sue for damages to compensate for the harm suffered. Victims of crimes may also sue in tort (in a civil case) for the wrongs done to them.
Trespass: An unlawful act committed against the person or property of another; especially wrongful entry of another's real property.
Trial: A court process in which the issues of fact and law are heard and decided according to legal procedures so a judicial officer or jury can make a decision in the case. Can be either (1) a bench trial - a trial that is heard and decided by a judge, or (2) a jury trial - a trial that is heard and decided by a jury.
"Trials on time"(TOT): A program to allow parties to have their case tried before a Pro Tem Judge - that is, a lawyer who volunteers his or her time to hear and decide cases when there is a long wait for a regular judge. The program is designed principally for jury trials of up to five days.
Trustee: (1) The person that has custody of or control over funds or items for the benefit of another; (2) In a bankruptcy case, a person appointed to represent the interests of the bankruptcy estate and the unsecured creditors. The trustee's responsibilities may include selling the property of the estate, making distributions to creditors, and bringing actions against credtitors or the debtor to recover property of the bankruptcy estate.
Turnover Order: Court order (after motion) requiring a judgment debtor to turn over specified property to the levying officer.
