The term “abatement” refers to the reduction in some amount that is owed, generally granted by the individual or entity to whom a debt is owed—e.g., a landlord granting abatement to the tenant in the amount of the rent owed.
The term “abatement” may also be used in estate planning documents to reduce the amount of the bequeaths made therein—e.g., a will might include a provision stating: “Should my estate be insufficient to pay the bequeaths in full, I instruct that the bequeaths abate proportionately.”
Additionally, in estate law, the term “abatement” may also refer more specifically to a situation where property identified in a will cannot be given to the beneficiary because it had to be sold by the personal representative to pay off the deceased’s debts. Debts are paid before gifts made in wills are distributed and where a specific gift has to be sold to pay off a debt, it is said to “abate” (compare with ademption).
In the law of torts, the term “abatement” may also refer to the summary removal of a nuisance. It is a form of vigilante justice but sometimes sanctioned by tort law in limited circumstances.