A Latin term meaning "by intestacy." The term refers to laws governing the succession of property after its previous owner dies without a valid will.
PROPERTY
Ab intestato
Definition
AB Trust
Definition
An irrevocable trust created by a married couple to avoid probate and minimize federal estate tax. An AB trust is created by each spouse placing property into a trust and naming someone other than his or her spouse as the final beneficiary of...
Abandoned Application
Definition
Refers to the abandonment of a patent or trademark application. An application is removed from the docket of pending applications at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office when the applicant (either directly or through his attorney or agent)...
Abandoned Property
Abandoned property: an overview
Personal property left by an owner who intentionally relinquishes all rights to its control. Real property may not be abandoned. See Adverse Possession.
At common law, a person who finds abandoned property may...
Abandonment (of Trademark)
Definition
Abandonment of a trademark occurs when the owner of the trademark deliberately ceases to use the trademark for three or more years, with no intention of using the trademark again in the future. When a trademark is abandoned, the trademark...
Abatement Clause
Definition
Provision in a lease agreement that releases the tenant from paying rent if an act of God makes occupancy impossible or otherwise precludes the property from being used.
See alsoAbatementAbercrombie Classification
Definition
In the law of branding, a characterization scheme of trade designations in increasing order of distinctiveness: generic, descriptive, suggestive, and arbitrary or fanciful.
See alsoIntellectual propertyTrademarkAbeyance
Definition
A situation in which the legal owner to real estate is uncertain and the determination of the true owner is pending.
Abnormally Dangerous Activity
DEFINITION
In tort law, an activity that (1) is not of common usage, and (2) creates a foreseeable and highly significant risk of physical harm even when reasonable care is exercised by all actors. See Restatement (Third) of Torts § 20(b) (2009). A...
Absolute
Definitions
1) Property: Used in property law to describe an estate that is free from any limitations at all. Only a fee simple may be absolute.
2) Divorce: An absolute divorce is a final judgment of divorce that dissolves the marriage and allows...