Simple English definitions for legal terms
Read a random definition: nonpayment
An imperfect obligation is a moral duty that is not legally enforceable. It is based on one's conscience and not on a legal basis. For example, if you promise to help a friend move but then change your mind, you have a moral obligation to follow through with your promise, but there is no legal consequence if you don't.
Another example of an imperfect obligation is when a person voluntarily pays for someone else's medical treatment, even though they have no legal obligation to do so. This payment is considered a moral duty, but not a legal one.
Imperfect obligations are different from perfect obligations, which are legally enforceable. A perfect obligation is a duty that is recognized and sanctioned by positive law, such as a contractual obligation or a legal duty.