Warrantless means that government officers carry out a search or arrest without a warrant or any other legal authorization. The requirement of a warrant serves to protect individuals’ privacy interests against unreasonable governmental...
legal education and practice
watered stock
Watered stock refers to any stock issued by a corporation to someone in exchange for assets that under-compensate for the stock. The issue was a larger problem in the early 20th century when investors depended on the par value of stocks which...
weight of evidence
Weight of evidence is the believability or persuasiveness of evidence in probative value, not the quantity or amount of evidence. Weight of evidence is not determined by mathematics, but depends on its effect in inducing belief. In State v....
well-known seasoned issuer (WKSI)
Well-known seasoned issuer (WKSI) is a category of issuer which allows greater flexibility in accessing U.S. public markets.
Qualification as a well-known seasoned issuerFor an issuer to qualify as a WKSI, they must...
whistleblower law
A whistleblower law is a federal or state law that protects employees from retaliation, such as termination or discrimination, for properly disclosing employer wrongdoing. Also termed as a whistleblower act. An employer's wrongdoing includes...
whole life insurance
Whole life insurance (also referred to as permanent life insurance) refers to life insurance policies that are meant to last until death and have an investment aspect. As long as the person pays the required premiums, the insurance policy...
widow
According to 17 USC § 101 a widow is a person whose spouse died during their marriage and has not since remarried. Also known as a surviving spouse.
[Last updated in March of 2022 by the Wex Definitions Team]
widower
A widower is a person whose spouse died during their marriage and has not since remarried.
[Last updated in May of 2022 by the Wex Definitions Team]
will
A will is a legal document that states a testator’s wishes and instructions for managing and distributing their estate after death. In contrast, intestate succession is passing the property of the decedent according to the State’s intestacy...
wiretapping
Wiretapping is the act of recording communications between parties, often without their consent. While wiretaps can be a powerful tool for authorities conducting criminal investigations, they are also legally at odds with the right to privacy...