Also known as: In re · Matter of
Written by attorneys · grounded in primary & secondary sources — see below
A caption used to title judicial or administrative proceedings that are not strictly adversarial between opposing parties. It signals matters such as estate administration, guardianship, family custody, or regulatory enforcement where the court addresses a status or interest rather than resolving a dispute between named adversaries.
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In the Matter of the Estate of Idina Iverson, the estate sued a contractor for defective work on estate property. The contractor answered and asserted a claim for unpaid fees arising from the same renovation project. Because the claim arose out of the identical transaction, the court required the contractor to litigate it as part of the same case rather than in a separate action.
In the Matter of the Guardianship of Isabella Ingram, the proposed guardian testified on direct about the ward's financial needs. On cross-examination opposing counsel attempted to question the witness about unrelated personal dealings. The court limited the inquiry to the subject matter of the direct testimony and matters affecting credibility.
In the Matter of Iris Energy, the company retained counsel to defend an FTC enforcement action. Counsel acquired a lien authorized by state law to secure unpaid fees. The arrangement complied with the exception permitting a lawyer to obtain a legally authorized lien without acquiring a prohibited proprietary interest in the proceeding.
In the Matter of the Estate of Ines Ibarra, the will left property to the descendants of the testator's deceased child without specifying shares. The court distributed the property among the living class members in the proportions they would have received had the designated ancestor died intestate at the time the interest took effect in possession.
In the Matter of the Detention of Iris Irons, a government witness testified on direct examination. The defense moved for production of the witness's prior statement. Because the entire statement related to the subject matter of the testimony, the court ordered the statement delivered to the defense.
In the Matter of the Marriage of Ilana Isaacs, the parties had married solely to obtain immigration benefits and had agreed in writing not to assume support obligations. The court held the marriage invalid because the collateral agreement contradicted the essential obligations of a marital relationship under public policy.
The caption is used for proceedings that address a status, estate, or regulatory interest rather than a dispute between two opposing parties. Examples include probate, guardianship, family custody, and certain administrative enforcement actions.
No. The caption is a procedural convention that signals the nature of the proceeding. Substantive rights and defenses remain governed by the applicable rules of procedure and evidence regardless of whether the case is styled 'In the Matter of' or with opposing parties.
…with good medical practice and under circumstances that do not violate the laws of the community in which he practices. "In the matter of abortions, as of any other medical procedure, the Judicial Council becomes involved whenever there is alleged violation of the Principles of Medical Ethics as established by the House of…