Nolo's Plain-English Law Dictionary

Legal Dictionary Home

Need Professional Help? Talk to a Lawyer
Enter Your Zip Code to Connect with a Lawyer Serving Your Area
searchbox small
Competent
1) Able to act in the circumstances, including the ability to perform a job or occupation, or to reason or make decisions. 2) In wills, trusts, and contracts, sufficiently mentally able to understand and execute a document. 3) In criminal law, sufficiently mentally able to stand trial or testify. 4) In evidence, relevant and legally admissible.


Need Legal Help?

Get Informed Check out our thousands of free articles on everyday legal topics--they're accurate, up to date, and written in plain English.
Do It Yourself With Nolo's easy-to-use books, legal forms, online services, and software, you can handle many routine legal tasks yourself.
Talk to a Lawyer Just enter your zip code to connect with a lawyer serving your area.
LA-WS5:0.9.22.120522.13848+