money and financial problems

A support trust is a type of trust that directs the trustee to pay the beneficiary as much of the income and principal as necessary for the beneficiary’s education an

• trusts and estates

A surety is a person or entity that assumes direct liability for another’s obligation.

A surety bond is a three-party bond agreement involving the principal (the one who needs the bond), the obligee (the one who requires it), and the 

Surrender value is the amount a policyholder receives when canceling or withdrawing funds from a life insurance policy or annuity before it matures or before the 

To swindle means to dispossess someone of money or property through fraud or deceit.

[Last reviewed in March of 2022 by the Wex Definitions Team]

• lawsuits-court
• criminal law

Tax basis is the value of an asset used to calculate taxable gain when the asset is sold, transferred, or exchanged. It typically includes the purchase price plus related costs such as taxes, fees, and transportation.

A tax lien is a lien acquired by court order that gives the government a security interest in property because of a failure to pay assessed taxes. If the property is mortgaged a tax lien will take precedence over the mortgage.

Testamentary is of or relating to a will or testament.  The term is often used to denote that something was provided for, appointed by or created by a will.

See: testamentary capacity, testamentary power of appointment, testamentary trust.

A title search is a search of the public records for any defects or encumbrances in a property's chain of title. Title searches are needed so that prospective buyers and secured creditors are not later surprised by

A tontine is an investment plan in which participants contribute to a common fund and receive annuities or dividends based on their share in the pool.