Superior Court >Civil Department >Glossary Of Common Terms Glossary of Common Terms TANF (Temporary Aid to Needy Families) State financial assistance to low income families. TRO (Temporary Restraining Order) An emergency order forbidding a party from taking an action in a case; an emergency order restricting a party or parties from committing a threatened act until a hearing is held on the issues. Common reasons for a TRO would be to forbid the sale of property, disposal of assets or removal of a child from the jurisdiction. Temporary Aid to Needy Families (TANF) State financial assistance to low income families. Temporary Order An order issued by the court to establish certain issues until a final judgment or decree is entered. Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) An emergency order forbidding a party from taking an action in a case; an emergency order restricting a party or parties from committing a threatened act until a hearing is held on the issues. Common reasons for a TRO would be to forbid the sale of property, disposal of assets or removal of a child from the jurisdiction. Termination of Parental Rights A judicial order ending a parent's legal relationship with that parent's child. Testacy Proceeding A proceeding to establish a will or determine intestacy. Testator/Testatrix (male/female) One who has made a legally valid will before death. Third-Party Complaint A complaint filed by a defendant, as a third-party plaintiff, against a person not a party to the action who is or may be liable to the third-party plaintiff for all or part of the plaintiff's complaint against the third-party plaintiff. Third-Party Release Release of a defendant under the supervision of a third party in accordance with the court's order. The third party shall use every effort to assure the appearance of a defendant at all scheduled hearings; immediate notification to the court if a defendant violates any conditions of release or disappears. Title 36 Guardianship A guardianship appointed for a person found to be gravely disabled as a result of a mental disorder in a proceeding for that purpose under Arizona's mental health statutes. Tort A civil (not criminal) wrong committed by one person against another; a violation of a legal duty that one person has toward another, except when it involves breach of contract. Tort Motor Vehicle Action Any action for damages for personal injury, property damage or wrongful death arising out of an automobile accident, collision or other operation of a motor vehicle. Tort Non-Motor Vehicle Action Any tort action not included under tort motor vehicle except medical malpractice and breach of contract actions. Examples: libel and slander, personal injury, fraud and property damage resulting from other than operation of a motor vehicle. Transcript The official verbatim record of testimony at a trial or hearing taken by a court reporter. Trial A proceeding in court to decide a controversy whereat parties may be called upon to testify and evidence is taken; may be to the court (before only a judge) or to a jury; a court hearing when all contested issues are presented to the judge for a decision. Trial de Novo A new trial or retrial held in an appellate court in which the entire case is heard as if no trial had been heard in the lower court or administrative agency. True Bill An indictment returned by the grand jury. Trust Includes an express trust, private or charitable, with any additions, wherever and however created. Also includes a trust created or determined by judgment or decree under which the trust is to be administered in the manner of an express trust. Trustee A person or organization appointed to manage a trust. return to top