Incompetency Legal Meaning and Definition

Here is a simplified definition of the legal term Incompetency.

Incompetency (noun)

1. The state of being unqualified or incapable of performing assigned tasks due to physical, mental, or legal limitations. This can refer to:

   • Physical incompetency: Lack of physical ability, arising from conditions such as disability or illness, that prevents one from fulfilling professional or contractual obligations.

   • Mental incompetency: Absence of mental capacity to understand contractual or legal procedures or engagements, often due to mental health conditions or cognitive impairments.

   • Legal incompetency: Failure to meet legal criteria necessary to participate in or fulfill contractual engagements, which generally requires a certain level of comprehension, reasoning ability, and legal age.