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Simple English definitions for legal terms

instrument

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A quick definition of instrument:

An instrument is a written document that records important agreements or actions that are legally enforceable. Examples of legal instruments include contracts, wills, deeds, and laws passed by governments. These documents must be read as a whole and interpreted correctly. While some people can write their own legal instruments, only lawyers can draft complex ones that secure legal rights. Once a legal instrument is signed, it becomes valid and can be used as evidence. In the past, legal instruments had to be sealed with wax or stamped, but this is no longer required in most places. However, it is illegal to falsify or change a legal instrument with the intention of deceiving someone else.

A more thorough explanation:

An instrument is a written legal document that records legally enforceable acts or agreements and secures their associated legal rights, obligations, and duties. It can be used as evidence to prove the existence of such acts or agreements.

Examples of legal instruments include:

  • Contracts
  • Wills
  • Promissory notes
  • Deeds
  • Statutes passed by competent legislatures

Legal instruments must be read as a whole, with every part interpreted in accordance with the whole. They are considered executed once they have been given validity and legal effect. For example, signing a contract executes the contract.

Most states allow non-lawyers to write their own instruments such as wills and contracts, but do not allow non-lawyers to charge third parties to draft complex legal instruments on their behalf that secure legal rights.

Historically, instruments were not considered properly executed until they had been sealed with wax or stamped. This requirement simplified authentication and enforcement, but today it has been done away with in most American jurisdictions to allow for greater ease in contracting.

However, a person who falsifies or materially alters a legal instrument with the intent to defraud another is guilty of the crime of forgery.

For example, a contract between two parties is an instrument that records the legally enforceable agreement between them. The contract can be used as evidence in court if one party breaches the agreement and the other party seeks legal action.

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NosyBeagle
13:52
look at my lawyer dawg... im going to jail
TiredOfThisGrandpa
13:55
Nah, I don't use it to do my case law. Just the actual motion drafting.
TiredOfThisGrandpa
14:05
For example, I was trying to get the right language in a Motion for Sanctions (tl;dr slip and fall case, defense counsel played nothing but games – IE never sending records despite it being mandatory to trcp, producing never before seen records DURING A DEPO) and just talked to ChatGPT about his behavior to provide background to help with the drafting for the procedural paragraph.
legallybrunettelily
14:05
@NosyBeagle: just makes me think of vanillamace
RasheedWallaceFan
14:43
@TiredOfThisGrandpa: I dont have LSD+ so cant dm but will def hit you up when I have them done! Also is ur username a reference to holes? lol
PremiumFrequentCrane
15:15
Can i get accommodations for mid test 2 hour nap
PremiumFrequentCrane
15:16
I mean, i have sadhd
NemoPropheta
15:34
you could get accommodations for the schizoaffective disorder you clearly have
NosyBeagle
15:53
a two hour nap in between sections would be great for me
ronniedoeslaw
15:58
LSAT isn’t horrible you just have to lock in really hard for 2 hours and expect to be exhausted the rest of the day mentally
bigfatsloth
16:30
ugh i hit this lady w my car
bigfatsloth
16:31
well i hit her car and the cops said there's no damage but she says there is should i call my insurance what u think lawyers
VersedHugeDog
16:38
real quick question. How much do early applications matter? I have super strong softs and an ok LSAT score of 160. GPA wasn't great at 3.33. I applied in late march and I have been rejected everywhere so far
NemoPropheta
16:58
late march is way too late
NemoPropheta
16:58
early doesn’t matter but before thanksgiving matters
ronniedoeslaw
16:59
Have you used the LSAC search for schools link? It helps a lot letting you know the probability of acceptance.
RasheedWallaceFan
17:10
I mean early early might be overblown but dont apply if you are applying in march
NimbleFanaticalBat
19:37
does anyone know how many questions they typically ask for the UT recorded interview
Callmylawyer
20:21
has anyone been accepted off of the waitlist for New England yet?
ronniedoeslaw
20:36
No yet for me, I was waitlisted on Monday
ronniedoeslaw
20:36
Not *
Ass-Eater-42069
1:33
[deleted by esoterica]
DivergentBoundlessHuman
9:35
don't be a dick bro
ronniedoeslaw
14:19
Foreal
ronniedoeslaw
14:20
The name says it all lol
ParaamShinde
12:58
Hello. To the gooners that have been on this site for 2+ years, you might remember me, or you might not. I was a high school freshman back then asking for advice (obvi pretty dumb at that age), and now I am a junior going to apply to colleges this summer. I had a few questions for the T14 law students here.
ParaamShinde
13:01
1. Does major matter in law school admissions? I want to go into corporate and/or IP law, so I'm thinking about majoring in Finance at some schools and Political Science at others, depending on which is stronger. I want a good job outlook in case I change my mind in the process, I'm pretty young after all. 2. To the T14 KJD admits: Give me your best advice. I want to get into T14 law schools, and similar to college admissions into undergrad, I wish I knew a lot of stuff earlier. What are some things you can tell me that can increase my chances of admission significantly?
ParaamShinde
13:03
3. How important is the undergrad program you go into? Will it help you in law school admissions and/or job placement and networking?
ParaamShinde
13:05
4. My most important question: Think back to when you were 17 (my age). If there was something you wish you knew then, what would it be? This can be anything. I don't have many people around me that go into law (everyone either goes into business or CS/engineering), so your advice is valued and highly-regarded by me.
HardHittingTraderDog
14:47
@ParaamShinde: If you are going to go to Law School, find out and make sure you attend an undergraduate school that is on a 4.3 grade scale, not a 4.0. Regardless of what LSAC says, they do NOT weight this scale to account for schools that do not give A+ grades and thus, disadvantages applicants who are on a 4.0 scale. A very overlooked pro tip that makes a huge difference, at least today. Good luck.
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