Legal Definitions - avowant

Definition: An avowant is a person who claims ownership of property that has been taken and is being held by someone else. This person makes a legal declaration, called an avowry, in an action of replevin.

For example, if someone's car is taken by a towing company and they believe it was done illegally, they can file a lawsuit for replevin. In this case, the person filing the lawsuit would be the avowant, as they are claiming ownership of the car and seeking to have it returned to them.

Another example could be a landlord who believes that a tenant has taken property that belongs to them. The landlord could file a lawsuit for replevin and be the avowant in the case.

These examples illustrate how an avowant is someone who is making a legal claim of ownership over property that is being held by someone else. They are seeking to have the property returned to them through the legal process of replevin.