Legal Definitions - conflict of law

Definition: A conflict of law occurs when there are multiple state or federal laws or courts that are applicable to a potential lawsuit or interpretation of a document, and they seem to be inconsistent or in conflict. This can make it difficult to determine which court should hear the case and which laws should apply.

Examples:

• A person who earns income in multiple states may face a conflict of law if they are involved in a lawsuit related to their income. They may need to determine which state's laws should apply to the case.
• If a person's estate includes property in multiple states, there may be a conflict of law when it comes to determining how the property should be distributed.
• In cases where a person violates both state and federal laws, there may be a conflict of law as to which court should hear the case and which laws should apply.

These examples illustrate how a conflict of law can arise in various situations, making it difficult to determine which laws should apply and which court should hear the case.