family & personal matters

Ab initio is a Latin term that means "from the beginning” or “from inception.” Ab initio is used to indicate that some fact existed from the start of a relevant time period. It is often used as part of the phrase “void ab initio,” meaning something (such as a marriage) was void from the beginning.

Ab intestato is a Latin term meaning "by intestacy." The term refers to laws governing the succession of property after the previous owner of the property dies without a valid will.

[Last reviewed in June of 2022 by the Wex Definitions Team]

• Latin terms

Abandon refers to the act of abandonment. A party can “abandon” in multiple fields of law and abandoning generally, though not always, involves voluntarily giving up a right.

See abandonment for more information. 

[Last reviewed in June of 2022 by the Wex Definitions Team]

Abandonment is a term that generally refers to a voluntary parting or the discarding of an object with no intent to return or reclaim the item. However, it varies in application across different areas of the law.

Abduction refers to the criminal taking or capture of an individual against their will or without their consent, generally by means of persuasion, fraud or force.

Abortion is the voluntary termination of a pregnancy.

Absolute is used commonly in property law and in divorce law meaning final or without limitations.

Abuse is an action that intentionally causes harm or injures another person. This can refer to physical abuse, psychological abuse, mental abuse, or child abuse (see below). 

Abuse is also to misuse something—e.g., abuse of process. 

Access is the right to use, communicate, or approach something or someone. Some common usages of the term “access” in a legal sense include:  

An accompanying relative, or immediate relative, is a family member of a person who has immigrated to the United States.