What legal term refers to goods placed into another's possession to be returned in the future?

The term that refers to goods placed into another's possession with the expectation of their return in the future is "Bailment." In a bailment arrangement, one party, known as the bailor, temporarily transfers possession of personal property to another party, called the bailee, who is to take care of the property and return it once the purpose of the bailment has been fulfilled.

This legal concept encompasses various scenarios such as leaving your car with a valet, depositing items in a storage facility, or lending a book to a friend. The key characteristics of bailment include the transfer of possession (not ownership) and the mutual understanding that the property will be returned to the bailor after the designated purpose has been served.

This concept is distinguished from other legal terms by its focus on the temporary nature of possession and the obligation of the bailee to safeguard and return the property, which sets it apart from terms like lease (which involves a transfer of possession for a longer-term contractual agreement) or tenancy (which typically pertains to real property rental agreements). Entrustment, while similar, is often used in more specific contexts related to the transfer of property to someone for a specific reason or purpose, such as repair, and may not encompass all the