Legal Definitions - imperfect obligation

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.