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personal property

Also known as: chattels, movable property

Quick Summary

Personal property, also known as chattels, refers to items that are movable and can be owned by an individual. This category is distinct from real property, which includes land and permanent fixtures. Personal property encompasses tangible items like goods and animals, as well as intangible assets such as stocks, bonds, and bank accounts.12

In legal systems, personal property can be further divided into "choses in possession," which are physical items, and "choses in action," which are intangible rights like the right to sue for a debt. The law provides protection for ownership interests in chattels, allowing for the recovery of goods or compensation for damages caused by intentional or negligent actions. The ability to transfer personal property freely is a fundamental aspect of market economies.134

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