Abatement is generally the temporary or permanent halting of a process (a lawsuit) or a situation (a nuisance).
In Wisconsin, abatement refers to the suspension or cessation of a legal proceeding or a nuisance. When it comes to lawsuits, abatement can occur for various reasons, such as the death of a party, a lack of jurisdiction, or a merger of the parties involved. For instance, if a plaintiff or defendant passes away before the resolution of the case, the lawsuit may be abated until a representative for the deceased's estate is appointed. In the context of nuisances, abatement involves the removal or cessation of a condition that is harmful or bothersome to others, such as noise, pollution, or an unsafe building. Wisconsin law allows for the abatement of public nuisances through court orders or, in some cases, through self-help remedies where individuals may take action to cease the nuisance without court intervention, provided they do so reasonably and without unnecessary harm.