Legal Document Preparation Flashcards

What must be included in a properly formatted legal pleading caption?

Answer: Court name, parties, case number, and document title

A legal pleading caption must identify the court, the parties (plaintiff vs. defendant), the case number, and the title of the document.

What is the purpose of a 'certificate of service'?

Answer: To confirm that a document was served on all parties

A certificate of service is a written statement attached to a court filing that certifies the document was delivered to all required parties on a specified date.

What is a 'demand letter'?

Answer: A letter requesting payment or action before filing suit

A demand letter is a written communication formally requesting that the recipient take a specific action, often pay money owed, before the sender initiates legal action.

What is an 'interrogatory' in civil discovery?

Answer: Written questions that must be answered under oath by the opposing party

Interrogatories are written questions served on a party to a lawsuit that must be answered in writing under oath within a specified time period.

What is required for a document to be properly notarized?

Answer: The signer must appear in person, sign before a notary, and the notary must affix their seal

Proper notarization requires the signer to personally appear before a notary, sign the document in the notary's presence, and the notary to affix their official seal and signature.

What is a 'power of attorney' document?

Answer: A legal authorization for one person to act on another's behalf

A power of attorney is a legal document granting one person (the agent) the authority to act on behalf of another person (the principal) in legal, financial, or medical matters.