Pretermit Law and Legal Definition
Pretermit means to allow to pass without notice or regard; to overlook intentionally; to leave undone; to neglect; to interrupt; or to omit. The meaning of the term depends on the context in which it is used.
For example, when used in the context of probate law, pretermit means to neglect or overlook accidentally. A pretermitted spouse is a spouse who would likely stand to inherit under a will, but was not named in the will because s/he was not yet married to the testator at the time the will was written.
Whereas, the term ‘pretermit’ when used in the context of immigration law, means to ignore or disregard purposely. An immigration judge is authorized to pretermit an application for suspension of deportation if the applicant has failed to establish statutory eligibility for relief. [Karageorgious v. Ashcroft, 374 F.3d 152 (2d Cir. 2004)].
