Abatement is generally the temporary or permanent halting of a process (a lawsuit) or a situation (a nuisance).
In Iowa, abatement can refer to different legal contexts. In the context of a lawsuit, abatement means the suspension or cessation of judicial proceedings. This can occur for various reasons, such as the death of a party, a lack of jurisdiction, or the resolution of the matter before a verdict is reached. In terms of a nuisance, abatement refers to the removal or cessation of a nuisance, which is an activity or condition that interferes with the use and enjoyment of property. Iowa law allows for the abatement of nuisances through court orders or, in some cases, through self-help remedies, provided they are carried out without trespassing or causing unnecessary damage. Local ordinances often provide specific procedures for nuisance abatement, and state statutes may also address particular types of nuisances, such as environmental hazards.