141. Administrative Hearing
hearing before any governmental agency or before an administrative law judge; there is no jury, but the agency or the administrative law judge will make a ruling
142. Administer
1) To conduct the duties of a job or position 2) To manage the affairs of the estate of a person who has died under supervision of the local court 3) To give an oath, as in "administer the oath"
143. Adjuster
employee of an insurance company or an adjustment firm employed by an insurance company to negotiate an early settlement of a claim for damages against a person, a business or public body. While a fair and responsible adjuster can serve a real purpose in getting information and evaluating the case for the insurance company, some adjusters try to make a settlement before the injured person has retained an attorney, or get a statement from the injured without counsel. Adjusters also represent the company in approving settlements.
144. Adjusted Basis
the original cost of an asset adjusted for costs of improvements, depreciation, damage, and other events which may have affected its value during the period of ownership; this is important in calculating capital gains for income tax purposes since the adjusted basis is generally higher than the original price and will lower capital gains taxes
145. Adjudication
1. the act of giving a judicial ruling such as a judgment or decree 2. order
declaring a debtor bankrupt is called an adjudication in bankruptcy proceedings
3. when land satisfies a debt or is given additional security
146. Adjourn
to close a meeting, convention, or any official gathering; not to be confused with a recess, meaning the meeting will break and continue at a later time.
147. Adhesion Contract
A contract so imbalanced in favor of one party over the other that there is a strong implication it was not freely bargained. (For example, a poor tenant cannot afford to move out and the landlord places extreme stipulations on allowing him to live there.)
148. Adequate Remedy
a remedy (money or performance) awarded by a court or through private action which afford "complete" satisfaction, and is "practical, efficient and appropriate" in the circumstances
149. Ademption
revoking a gift mentioned in a will by destruction, or selling or giving away the gift before death
150. Adeem
to revoke a gift made in a will by destroying, selling or giving away the gift item during the lifetime of the testator, for example; a person writes in their will "I will leave my son my 1968 Mustang," but then dad totals or sells the car--Saying, "I give my son my family car," would be better language.