TOOL OF THE DAY: What is a FIAT motion or FIAT order?
If this is a term you hear often in your jurisdiction, you should be clear on its meaning and its use.
By: Sherry Palmer | Posted: | Modified:
TOOL OF THE DAY: What is a FIAT?
CATEGORY: Family Law Definition
FIAT meaning in law comes from latin and means "let it be done." An attorney can generally file a FIAT motion to schedule a routine hearing such as signing a divorce decree.
It isn't a term we hear often and we don't use it unless we come across a local jurisdiction where they use the term regularly. You should NOT attempt to use legal words without a very specific purpose in mine. It is far too easy for you to say something you didn't intend to say that binds you in ways you did not mean to be bound. Use plain direct language and specific legal terms only where necessary and where you fully understand its meaning and the implications of its use.
According to Black's Law Dictionary, Ninth Edition, this means:
1. An order or decree, esp. an arbitrary one.
2. A court decree, esp. one relating to a routine matter such as scheduling.