Riparian Rights – are rights concerning properties abutting a river or stream, i.e. a moving body of water. If the water is not navigable riparian rights usually extend out to the middle of the stream. However if the sides of the lot have designated lengths the designated lengths prevail. Under riparian rights first priority is given to necessary household use and then to agricultural use then to commercial and industrial use.

Doctrine of Prior Appropriation – simply that the first owner is privileged to the first claim on water however the owner must divert the water for his/her personal use and not for the use of another party.

Accretion – a slow build up of soil caused by natural occurrences such as water of wind.

Avulsion – a rapid removal of land as a result of natural occurrences.

Eminent Domain – permits government to take property for public use with just compensation.

Condemnation – the act of government taking possession of property by legal process for the benefit of the general public and for general public use.

Escheat – reverting or lapsing of property back to the government through legal procedures. Represent the legal process of the state in taking possession of property. As an example, the state acquires land of an intestate person (one who dies without leaving a will) who has no heirs.

Mile – 5280 feet

Acre – 43560 square feet

Section – 640 acres

Township – 36 square miles

Check – 576 square miles

Holographic - will is a hand written will.

Bequest - is a gift of personal property.

Legacy - is a gift of money

Devise - is a gift of real estate.

Demise - is a transfer by lease.

Width - is depth

Length - is frontage