Ottawa County buildings are closed on Thursday, December 5, due to inclement weather. Please visit miOttawa.org/servicecenter to see if your need can be fulfilled online. If you have an appointment scheduled on this date, please contact the office, department, or court to reschedule.

Ottawa County Legal Self-Help Center

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T

TAKE
As used in probate, to get title or ownership, or to be entitled to an estate - the person is entitled to "take" under the will.
TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER
An emergency order of the court that is meant to stop a person or corporation from doing something and to keep things as they are ("preserve the status quo") until the court can hold a hearing and decide if it should issue a preliminary injunction. MCR 3.310(B). See INJUNCTION.
TEN PERCENT BOND
A process that allows a person to pay ten percent (10%) of the bond set by the court to get out of jail. It reduces the actual amount of money you have to pay so that most people can get out of jail without having to use a bondsman or other surety.
TENANT
A person who rents property from the owner (called a landlord).
TESTATE
Dying having made a valid (or enforceable) will.
TESTATE SUCCESSION
The transfer (inheritance) of property according to the will of the person who has died (the decedent).
TESTATOR
A person who has made a will. A female testator is called a "testatrix."
TESTIFY
To give evidence under oath as a witness in a court hearing or trial.
TESTIMONY
The things a witness says under oath, which are given as evidence.
TORT
An injury or wrong committed against the person or property of another, that happens because the person violated his or her duty, not because the person didn't do what he or she promised in a contract.
TRANSCRIPT
The verbatim (or word for word) written record of what happens in a trial or hearing.
TRIAL COURT
The court where trials take place. Examples of Michigan trial courts are district, circuit, and probate courts.
TRUST
A property interest held by one party for the benefit of another. A legal tool to manage property set up by one person (settlor or grantor) to hold property and manage it for the benefit of another (the beneficiary).
TRUSTEE
The person who manages the property put in the trust for the benefit of the other person/beneficiary.