Lapsed Devise Law and Legal Definition
Lapsed devise is a devise that fails because of the death of the named recipient before the devisor. Lapsed devise fails to take effect in consequence of the death of the devisee, or legatee, before that of the testator, or for other cause. In some jurisdictions, a gift which is ineffective because of the death of the devisee or legatee before that of the testator is called lapsed devise.
