Legal Definitions - abode

Abode refers to a person's dwelling place or home, signifying where they ordinarily live or reside. It implies a settled and usual place of habitation, rather than a temporary stop or transient location.

Here are some examples to illustrate the concept of abode:

• Example 1: Voter Registration

  When an individual registers to vote, they must declare their primary residence. If Sarah lives in an apartment in City A for most of the year, even though her parents live in City B, her abode for voting purposes would be her apartment in City A. This is because it is her usual and settled place of residence, where she intends to return and live.

• Example 2: Service of Legal Documents

  A court often requires that legal documents, such as a summons or a subpoena, be delivered to a person's abode. For instance, if a process server needs to deliver a lawsuit notification to Mr. Henderson, they would attempt to serve it at his house, which is recognized as his established home. This ensures that the notice is delivered to the place where he is most likely to receive it, fulfilling the legal requirement of proper notification.

• Example 3: Homeowner's Insurance Policy

  An insurance policy for a homeowner typically covers the property that serves as the policyholder's primary residence. If the Johnson family insures their house in the suburbs, that house is considered their abode for the purposes of the policy. If they also own a vacation cabin, that cabin would not be covered under the same homeowner's policy as their primary abode unless specifically added or covered by a separate policy, because it is not their usual and settled dwelling.