What is the legal definition of lapsed?

Asked by: Dr. Edyth Wehner  |  Last update: October 31, 2025
Score: 4.2/5 (43 votes)

Lapse is the termination of a right, interest, duty or obligation as a result of the passage of time, or failure of a condition, or a change in circumstance. Lapse because of the passage of time.

What does lapsing mean in law?

lapse n. : a termination or failure due to events, neglect, or time: as. a : the failure of a bequest (as because the intended recipient dies before the testator) compare anti-lapse statute. b : the termination of an insurance policy because of nonpayment of premiums or nonrenewal.

What is the full meaning of lapsed?

Definition of 'lapsed'

1. expired; voided; terminated. a lapsed insurance policy. 2. no longer committed to or following the tenets of a particular belief, obligation, position, etc.

What is the lapse rule?

Lapse statute (also called anti-lapse statute ) is a rule of construction in trusts and estates law that prevents a devise from lapsing . Under common law , if a person devised a gift to a devisee and the devisee passed prior to the testator , the gift would “lapse” or fail, leaving the property to intestacy laws .

What does time lapse mean in law?

the reason for a legal agreement ending, because an agreed time limit has passed: The contracts had been terminated because they had expired by lapse of time.

Lapsed | Legal Term Defined (Property Definitions for Law School and Bar Exam Prep)

28 related questions found

What is the law of time lapse?

Description of the legal term Lapse of Time:

In contract law, the principle of lapse of time can play a significant role in the context of offer and acceptance. An offer is not usually open indefinitely; it can lapse after a certain period if not accepted.

What does the word lapse mean in legal terms?

Lapse is the termination of a right, interest, duty or obligation as a result of the passage of time, or failure of a condition, or a change in circumstance. Lapse because of the passage of time.

What is the rule for time lapse?

The ideal shutter speed rate for time lapse is to double the set frame rate. So if your frame rate is set at 30 frames per second (FPS), then you should control your shutter speed at a rate of 1/60.

What is considered a lapse?

A lapse occurs when the benefits and rights stated in a contract no longer remain active due to the contract holder failing to honor requirements and conditions set forth by a contract or agreement. A lapse can occur, for instance, due to inaction, the passage of time, or failure to pay what is due.

What is the common law of lapse?

Under the common law lapse rule, if a devisee died before the testator, his gift was said to have lapsed – or failed.

What is the formal definition of lapse?

: a temporary deviation or fall especially from a higher to a lower state. a lapse from grace. ethical lapses. 2. : a becoming less : decline.

What is a lapsed time period?

A lapse of time is a period that is long enough for a situation to change or for people to have a different opinion about it. If a period of time lapses, it passes. If a situation or legal contract lapses, it is allowed to end rather than being continued, renewed, or extended.

What does it mean to be lapsed?

: having ceased to be active in practice, membership, or belief. a lapsed Catholic.

What does lapse in judgment mean?

A lapse of something such as concentration or judgment is a temporary lack of that thing, which can often cause you to make a mistake.

What is to lapsed?

/læpst/ no longer involved in an activity or organization: a lapsed Catholic. no longer being continued or paid: a lapsed subscription.

What is lapse risk?

Lapse risk is defined as the rate of surrenders, as well as paid-up and other discontinuances, being higher or lower than the insurer's best estimate assumptions, where such difference results in a diminution of own funds.

Does "lapsed" mean cancelled?

Lapse of coverage is distinctly different than cancellation of an insurance policy in that lapse generally does not require notice to you, the insured, whereas cancellation generally does.

What is lapse rule?

a. All pending bills in Parliament lapse with its prorogation. All appropriations voted by the Parliament expire at the end of the financial year. The demand for grants of a ministry lapses with criticism of its policy by the opposition.

What is the meaning of lapse in simple terms?

noun. an accidental or temporary decline or deviation from an expected or accepted condition or state; a temporary falling or slipping from a previous standard: a lapse of justice. a slip or error, often of a trivial sort; failure: a lapse of memory.

What is the grace period for policy lapse?

Grace periods typically last around 30 days, depending on your policy. Under certain circumstances, some insurers may extend it up to 60 or 90 days.

How do you explain time-lapse?

Answer. In time-lapse photography, individual frames are captured at a much slower rate than they are viewed. Then, when the frames are combined and played at normal speed (24 frames per second), time appears to be going faster.

What is lapse of time legal?

Parties conclude contracts when one party makes a clear and definite offer to the other, who accepts within the prescribed or a reasonable amount of time. Lapse of time arises when one of the parties does not fulfill their promises under the contract within the expected time limit.

What does the concept of lapse in a state law pertain to?

Terms: Lapse: Failure of a bequest or devise to vest in the beneficiary due to the death of the devisee or legatee prior to the death of the testator.

What does it mean when a case is lapsed?

Definition 1. A case lapses when the prosecutor or complainant withdraws the charges. The charges can be withdrawn, for example, if in the light of new evidence, there are no longer grounds for accusing the accused or if the complainant no longer wishes to demand punishment.

What is the difference between expire and lapse?

Answer: A membership becomes expired on the expiration date specified on the membership record. A membership is lapsed during the time between when it expires and when it is dropped.