Legal Definitions - Moiety

The term Moiety refers to a half share or portion of something. While historically it was often used in legal contexts to denote a one-half interest in real estate, its meaning can extend to any set of roughly equal parts or shares, particularly when referring to undivided ownership.

• Example 1: Estate Division

  A deceased person's will specifies that their entire estate, after all debts and taxes are settled, should be divided equally between their two adult children. Each child is therefore entitled to a moiety of the estate.

  This example illustrates the primary meaning of moiety as a precise one-half share. Each child receives an equal, undivided half of the total assets, demonstrating the term's application to the division of property.

• Example 2: Business Partnership

  Two entrepreneurs establish a new technology startup, agreeing in their foundational documents that they will each own an equal, undivided share of the company's equity, profits, and decision-making power.

  In this scenario, each entrepreneur holds a moiety interest in the business. This signifies their ownership of one-half of the company, including its assets and future earnings, reflecting the term's use to denote an equal half-share in an enterprise or venture.

• Example 3: Shared Intellectual Property Rights

  Two independent graphic designers collaborate on a unique logo design for a major client. Their contract stipulates that they will equally share all intellectual property rights and any future royalties generated from the logo's use beyond the initial project.

  Here, each designer holds a moiety in the intellectual property and future earnings. This means they each possess an undivided one-half interest in the intangible asset, demonstrating how the term can apply to shared ownership of creative works and their associated benefits.