Law Library Legal Dictionary – Q

Legal Definitions – Q

Q Visa – A visa that is granted in order to provide practical training and employment as long as there is a sharing of history, culture, and traditions of the visa holder’s home country.

Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QRDO) – An order that outlines the division of pension plans according to the divorce decree.

Qualified Personal Residence Trust (QPRT) – A type of irrevocable trust that is designed to hold one’s residence while removing the residence’s value from one’s taxable estate.

Quasi-Community Property – Property acquired in a non-community property state that is treated like community property upon death or divorce in a community property state because it would have qualified as community property if it had been acquired in a community property state. There are currently nine community property states: AZ, CA, ID, LA, NV, NM, TX, WA, and WI. The other states are known as "separate property states."

Qui Tam Action – An action brought by an informer charging that a false claim has been submitted to the government. Qui tam is a provision of the Federal Civil False Claims Act.

Quick Taking Statute – A statute that gives a condemning authority the right to immediately take possession of property once a judgment is granted in its favor.

Quid Pro Quo Harassment – A type of sexual harassment in the workplace that occurs when a supervisor or employer requests an employee to provide sexual favors in return for promotions, career advancement, or other types of benefits.

Quiet Enjoyment – The right to the unimpaired enjoyment and use of any property that has been leased, sold, or conveyed. If this right is violated, the tenant or owner has a right to withdraw from the agreement and leave the property without incurring any liability.

Quiet Title Action – A court action to quiet any any challenges or claims to the ownership of a property title.