What is the legal term lapse?

Asked by: Miss Tamia Friesen  |  Last update: August 4, 2025
Score: 5/5 (68 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 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.

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 The charges can be withdrawn, for example, if in the light of new evidence, there are no longer grounds for accusing the accused or if the complainant no longer wishes to demand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 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 it mean when something is allowed to lapse?

lapsed; lapsing. intransitive verb. : to terminate, become ineffective, or fail. the bequest lapsed when the son died before the father. allowed the insurance policy to lapse.

Anti-Lapse Statutes | Legal Term Defined (Property Definitions for Law School and Bar Exam Prep)

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What does lapse mean in law?

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 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 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 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 happens if a property is left in will sold before death?

When a property is sold before death the gift fails. However the beneficiary designation does take place outside of the will and you should only need to present a certified copy of the death certificate and your id to receive the funds.

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.

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 does it mean if something has lapsed?

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

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 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 is the meaning of lapse in action?

It signifies that the action was not deliberate or meant to deceive but occurred due to a momentary lapse or mistake.

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 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 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 is the legal definition of lapsed?

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. vb lapsed.

What is a lapse in wills?

At common law, lapse occurs when the beneficiary or the devisee under the will predeceases the testator, invalidating the gift. The gift would instead revert to the residuary estate or be granted under the law of intestate succession.

What is a lapse of reasonable time?

In general, a lapse occurs when the offeree does not accept the offer within the stipulated time period. If no period is specified, the offer will lapse after a reasonable time, which can differ based on the nature of the transaction.

Does lapse mean cancel?

No, a lapse or a cancellation due to nonpayment is considered a request to cancel from the insured and should not be included in cancellations.

What is lapse in judgement?

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. I had a little lapse of concentration in the middle of the race.

What does it mean when a case lapses?

Lapse refers to a stoppage/cessation that occurs due to inactivity or non-fulfilment of the terms of a contract.