Personalty, an often misunderstood legal term, refers to intangibles and moveable property, such as goods, chattel, and choses in action. In other words, personalty is a type of personal property, as opposed to real property, which is tied to real estate.
Personalty includes items such as money, stocks, bonds, and other financial instruments, as well as items such as cars, furniture, and other moveable items. For example, a business owner may hold a significant number of personally held stock in multiple corporations.
The Importance of Knowing What Constitutes Personalty
Business owners should understand the difference between personalty and realty when making decisions on how to structure holdings and investments. The distinction is important from both a legal and financial perspective, as different rules and regulations may exist for each type of asset.
For example, where realty is concerned, a business owner may face certain restrictions when it comes to selling, transferring, or otherwise disposing of an asset. On the other hand, personalty, which is a more liquid asset, may offer more flexibility when it comes to making decisions related to the disposition of that asset.
Conclusion
Personalty is a vital concept to know for business owners and professionals, as it provides an important distinction for how to treat and manage different types of assets. Being familiar with the rules and regulations associated with personalty can help ensure that decisions are made efficiently and effectively.