Abandonment Legal Meaning and Definition

Here is a simplified definition of the legal term Abandonment.

Abandonment (noun): A term in law referring to the act of intentionally giving up a legal right, claim, interest, or possession. This can take different forms across various legal contexts. Examples include a plaintiff discontinuing legal proceedings, a ship or goods being surrendered to an insurer in the context of marine insurance, or a copyright holder releasing content to the public domain. In military and family law, it could refer to a soldier deserting their post without leave or a spouse or children being left by a family member. When public property is abandoned, ownership may become uncertain; laws often state that the government automatically gains ownership of these resources.