Per capita: A Latin phrase meaning "by the head." A method of dividing property left by a decedent. The property is distributed among the number of individuals equally related to the decedent so that each receives an equal share.

Person sui juris: A person having full legal capacity to manage his own affairs.

Per stirpes: A Latin phrase meaning "by the root." A class or group takes and divides among themselves the share their ancestor would have received.

Petit jury: A body of local citizens who are chosen to hear and decide the verdict in civil and criminal cases.

Pleading: The process by which parties to a civil lawsuit present written statements of their respective contentions and positions.

Pledge: The transfer of title or possession of personal property to a creditor as security for a debt.

Primogeniture: The exclusive right of inheritance belonging to the eldest son, to the exclusion of other children.

Probate: The judicial proceeding to determine that a certain document claimed to be a will of the decedent is in fact valid and properly executed.