Chancery and equity courts handled cases involving fairness rather than strict legal rules, including disputes over estates, guardianships, property, and trusts. These records often contain rich genealogical details and specialized legal terminology.
| Term | Definition |
| Bill of Complaint | Formal written statement initiating an equity case. |
| Chancellor | Judge presiding over chancery court. |
| Chancery Court | Court handling equity cases and disputes. |
| Complainant | Person bringing the case to court. |
| Decree | Final judgment issued by equity court. |
| Defendant | Person responding to complaint. |
| Deposition | Sworn testimony taken outside court. |
| Discovery | Process of obtaining evidence from opposing party. |
| Equity | Legal principle focused on fairness. |
| Equity Suit | Case brought before chancery court. |
| Exhibit | Document or evidence presented in case. |
| Guardian | Person appointed to manage affairs of minor or incapacitated person. |
| Injunction | Court order requiring or preventing specific action. |
| Interrogatories | Written questions requiring sworn answers. |
| Jurisdiction | Authority of court to hear case. |
| Laches | Delay in asserting a legal right affecting claim. |
| Master in Chancery | Court officer assisting with investigations and reports. |
| Motion | Formal request made to court. |
| Notice | Official communication regarding legal action. |
| Partition | Division of property among owners or heirs. |
| Petition | Written request submitted to court. |
| Plaintiff | Party initiating lawsuit (same as complainant in equity). |
| Pleading | Formal written statement of claims or defenses. |
| Probate Matter | Estate-related case sometimes handled in equity court. |
| Receiver | Person appointed to manage disputed property. |
| Relief | Remedy sought by complainant. |
| Settlement | Agreement resolving dispute. |
| Subpoena | Court order requiring appearance or evidence. |
| Suit in Equity | Case seeking fair resolution rather than legal damages. |
| Testimony | Evidence given under oath. |
| Trust | Legal arrangement managing property for benefit of another. |
| Trustee | Person managing trust assets. |
| Ward | Individual under guardianship. |
| Writ | Formal written court order. |
| Answer | Defendant’s response to complaint. |
| Cross-Bill | Counterclaim filed by defendant. |
| Final Decree | Conclusive ruling resolving case. |
| Interim Order | Temporary ruling during proceedings. |
| Bill of Review | Request to reconsider court decision. |
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