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collateral

collateral definition - legal

adj

Secondary; subordinate; supplemental.

Property, including accounts, contract rights, and chattel paper, that is subjected to a security interest in exchange for credit or as security for a debt.

adj

Indirect; on a parallel or diverging line.

collateral ascendant

A relative, such as an aunt, uncle, or cousin, who has a common ancestor with a person but is not that personÂ’s ancestor. Also called collateral. See also ancestor and descendant.

collateral attack

An attack in a judicial proceeding against another judicial proceeding or a judgment entered in another court. For example, a party in Florida may attack a judgment entered against him by an Alaska court on the grounds that Alaska did not have jurisdiction over him or the underlying cause of action. See also habeas corpus and direct.

collateral consanguinity

See consanguinity.

collateral estoppel

See estoppel.

collateral heir

See heir.

collateral source rule

In tort law, the doctrine that any compensation, such as insurance benefits, received by an injured party from a source that is independent of the tortfeasor does not reduce the damages that the tortfeasor is obligated to pay. See also subrogation.