Family Law Glossary:  E

Emancipation: The point at which a minor comes of age. The age is typically 18 or 21.

Encumbered: When a lien, mortgage or other restraint is placed against a property.

Entrepreneurial Profit: A market - derived figure that represents the amount an entrepreneur expects to receive in addition to costs; the difference between total cost and market value.

Equitable Distribution: The fair, but not necessarily equal, division between former spouses of property acquired during the marriage.

Equitable Division: A system of dividing property acquired by spouses during their marriage in connection with a divorce proceeding.

Equity: The net proceeds from the sale of a home, minus the fees of the solicitor and the real estate agent and the satisfying of the mortgage.

Estate: A right or interest in property or the property of a deceased person.

Evaluation: A study of the nature, quality, or unity of a parcel of real estate or interests in, or aspects of, real property, in which a value estimate is not necessarily required.

Evidence: Documents, testimony or other informational material offered to the court to prove or disprove allegations in the pleadings.

Ex-Parte: Court relief that is granted due to the absence of opposing party.

Executed: Carried out according to the terms of an agreement.

Exhibit: An item of evidence presented to the court.

Expectancy: Future proceeds from an estate.

Expert Witnesses: A professional used to help a judge reach a decision. Experts can include: Appraisers, Counselors, Evaluators, and Accountants.