What term refers to the act of taking by legal authority?

The term that refers to the act of taking by legal authority is garnishee. In legal contexts, a garnishee is typically a third party, often an employer or financial institution, that is ordered by a court to withhold a portion of a debtor's wages or funds to satisfy a debt or judgment. This process allows a creditor to collect debts directly from a debtor's income or assets without needing to take additional legal action.

Understanding this term is important in contexts such as debt collection and court proceedings, where legal authority is exercised to ensure that debts are repaid. The other terms listed do not convey the same meaning: fraud refers to wrongful or criminal deception, a judgment is a formal decision made by a court, and a lessor is an individual or entity that leases assets to another party. Each of these terms pertains to different legal concepts and does not relate to the act of taking by legal authority as garnishee does.