Legal Definitions - Misappropriation

In law, misappropriation refers to the unauthorized, improper, or unlawful use of funds or other property for purposes other than that for which intended. This can include situations where the offending party has an added measure of responsibility, such as misconduct by a public official, a trustee of a trust, or an administrator of a deceased person's estate.

• A public official using government funds for personal expenses
• A trustee of a trust using trust funds for their own benefit
• An executor of an estate taking assets from the estate for personal use
• A company using trade secrets or confidentialinformation without permission
• A lawyer mishandling client funds for their own benefit

These examples illustrate how misappropriation can occur in various contexts, such as government, finance, and law. In each case, the offending party is using property or funds for their own benefit without proper authorization or consent, which can result in legal and ethical consequences.