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lapse

1) v. to fail to occur, particularly a gift made in a will. 2) v. to become non-operative. 3) n. the termination of a gift made by will or for future distribution from a trust, caused by the death of the person to whom the gift was intended (the beneficiary, legatee, devisee) prior to the death of the person making the will or creating the trust (the testator, trustor or settlor).

See also: beneficiary  devisee  legatee  trust  will 



The People's Law Dictionary by Gerald and Kathleen Hill Publisher Fine Communications