Valid claim

The term "valid claim" is used in a number of different contexts in federal law. Under United States bankruptcy law, a creditor must have a valid claim in order to attend a creditors' meeting and collect all or part of a debt.^{[citation needed]} Under United States patent law, a valid claim is a claim of an issued and unexpired, legally enforceable patent.^[2]

"Valid claim" is also the terminology used to describe beneficial interest in antiquities under the 1990 Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act.^[3]

A lien must be based on a valid claim.^{[citation needed]} Under Texas law, a mechanic's lien must have a valid basis.^[4] Under New York law, a lis pendens, or notice of pendency of a claim against real property, must be valid, such as a pending divorce lawsuit.^{[citation needed]} Under the laws of most US states, a claim against an estate must be proven or validated.^[5]