Legal Definitions - manifest intent

Manifest intent refers to a person's purpose or design that is clearly evident or obvious from their actions, words, or the surrounding circumstances, even if they do not explicitly state their intention. It means that an individual's true aim can be inferred from observable facts and behavior, rather than solely relying on their direct statements about their intent.

• Example 1: Contractual Agreement

  Imagine a business owner who, after several rounds of negotiation, sends a signed purchase order for a new piece of machinery, arranges for its delivery, and initiates a down payment. Although they might not have explicitly said, "I intend to be legally bound by this purchase," their actions—signing the order, coordinating delivery, and making a payment—clearly demonstrate a manifest intent to enter into a binding contract for the machinery.

• Example 2: Property Damage

  Consider a situation where a disgruntled former employee, after being fired, is seen on security footage deliberately pouring a corrosive liquid onto the company's server equipment. Even if the employee later claims it was an accident or they didn't mean to cause harm, their specific, targeted action of applying a known corrosive substance to sensitive equipment clearly manifests an intent to damage the property. The act itself provides strong evidence of their purpose.

• Example 3: Testamentary Wishes

  An individual creates a detailed will that specifically bequeaths a rare coin collection to their niece, citing her lifelong interest in numismatics. They also include a separate memorandum, referenced in the will, further explaining their desire for the niece to inherit the collection. This combination of a formal will and an explanatory memorandum clearly demonstrates the testator's (the person making the will) manifest intent regarding the disposition of their coin collection, leaving little ambiguity about their wishes.