term:

Independent

independent adj

1 : not dependent on others (as parents) for livelihood
;esp
: not a dependent [declared she was on her financial aid form]
2 a : not affiliated with another usually larger unit [an adjuster]
b : not contingent on something else [an promise]
in·de·pen·dence n

in·de·pen·dent·ly adv

Source: Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law ©1996. Merriam-Webster, Incorporated. Published under license with Merriam-Webster, Incorporated.