Types of Civil Law

Civil law touches nearly every phase of daily life – from buying a home to getting married

Four Types  Contracts  Property  Family relations  Torts – civil wrongdoings causing physical injury or property damage

Contracts A contract is a set of voluntary promises between parties who agree to do or not do something and is enforceable by the law

Entering Contracts Entering Contracts We enter contracts when we join a health club, buy or lease a car on credit, buy a cell phone plan, get married or agree to do a job for someone.

Types of Contracts Expressed Contracts - terms are specifically stated by the parties, usually in writing

Implied Contracts – the terms are not expressly stated but can be inferred from the actions of the people involved and the circumstances

Property Law The use and ownership of property. The ability of individuals to own, buy, and sell property.

Two Types of Property Real property – land and whatever is attached to or growing upon it like houses or trees

Two Types of Property Personal property – anything movable like clothes/jewelry or intangible like stocks, bonds, copyright, or patents

Family Law Relationships among family members including marriage, divorce, and child custody

Types of Family Law Marriage – civil ceremony (religious) and common law Elder Care Child Rearing/Custody Divorce

Torts or Civil Wrongs Any wrongful act for which an injured party has the right to sue for damages not including breach of contract. (a.k.a. negligence)

Types of Torts Intentional tort – deliberate act that results in harm to a person or property like assault and battery, defamation of character, or a practical joke gone bad

Types of Torts Negligence torts – involves careless or reckless behavior like breaking someone’s window or failing to clear a snowy/icy sidewalk and someone falls