What legal principle prevents an individual from contradicting previously implied words or deeds?

The correct answer, estoppel, is a legal principle that prevents an individual from contradicting or denying previously implied words or deeds, particularly when another party has relied on those representations to their detriment. This doctrine is essential in promoting fairness and consistency within legal dealings, as it protects the reliance of one party on the representations of another.

For instance, if someone has acted in reliance on a promise made by another person, and later that person attempts to deny the promise or assert something contrary to what was previously implied, estoppel can be invoked to prevent such contradictory actions. This principle helps to uphold the integrity of agreements and ensures that individuals cannot simply backtrack on their commitments once another party has taken action based on them.

Other options, such as escheat, relate to the way property reverts to the state when an individual dies without heirs, while exclusion typically pertains to legal rights associated with ownership or access. Eviction, on the other hand, is a legal process used to remove tenants from property. These concepts do not address the fundamental issue of relying on implied representations by another party in legal contexts, which is the core of what estoppel addresses.