Legal Definitions - abstract

Abstract is a shortened version of an official record. In legal terms, it can refer to:

An abstract of title is a summary of all the important actions related to a property's title. This includes any liens, transfers, assignments, and other relevant information. It does not provide any legal advice or opinions on the title's legal effect.

An abstract of record is a summary of all the proceedings in a legal case. It is used by appellate courts to review the history of the trial court actions and determine if the issues presented for review on appeal were properly preserved in the lower court.

For example, if someone is buying a house, they may request an abstract of title to ensure that the seller has a clear title to the property. In a legal case, an abstract of record may be used by an appellate court to review the lower court's actions and determine if any errors were made.