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Investment Dictionary: Free and Clear

A slang phrase describing the situation of someone when he or she gains outright ownership of an asset, such as when it is completely paid off and no creditor has a claim on the property.

Investopedia Says:
The phrase is probably most commonly used in reference to one's mortgage. If your house is completely paid off, you own your house "free and clear."

In the case of real estate, before a sale can occur, the property must be "free and clear" so the buyers know that there are no prior claims on it.

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Business Dictionary: Free and Clear
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Unencumbered. In property law, Title is free and clear if it is not encumbered by any Liens or restrictions. One conveys land free and clear if he transfers a Good Title or Marketable Title.

Idioms: free and clear
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Without any legal encumbrance, such as a lien or mortgage. For example, After the mortgage was paid off they owned the house free and clear. [Mid-1800s]


Law Dictionary: Free and Clear
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Unincumbered. In property law, a title is "free and clear" if it is not incumbered by any liens; one conveys land "free and clear" if he transfers a good or marketable title (i.e., unincumbered by any interest in the land held by another). 53 A. 477, 480.

 
 

 

Copyrights:

Investment Dictionary. Copyright ©2000, Investopedia.com - Owned and Operated by Investopedia Inc. All rights reserved.  Read more
Business Dictionary. Dictionary of Business Terms. Copyright © 2000 by Barron's Educational Series, Inc. All rights reserved.  Read more
Idioms. The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.  Read more
Law Dictionary. Law Dictionary. Copyright © 2003 by Barron's Educational Series, Inc. All rights reserved.  Read more