Also known as: chattels
Written by attorneys · grounded in primary & secondary sources — see below
A form of personal property consisting of movable tangible items. The category encompasses physical objects capable of manual delivery and excludes land or permanent improvements affixed to land.
After her husband dies, Cassandra Cooper reviews the estate inventory and selects the family automobile and household appliances as exempt property. The personal representative values the items at $12,000 above any liens. The selection satisfies the statutory limit and receives priority over creditor claims.
Caitlin Crowley discovers that Christian Coleman has taken her power tools from the shared workshop without permission. Coleman uses the tools on his own job site for several weeks. Crowley's claim for interference with her possessory interest in the items proceeds under trespass principles.
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Cedar Creek Farms grants a neighbor a license to use a specialized harvesting machine on its fields. The neighbor later attempts to sell the license separately to a third party. The assignment fails because the license remains coupled with the neighbor's interest in the machine itself.
Chloe Chen sells a collection of antique furniture located in State A to a buyer domiciled in State B. A dispute arises over title after the buyer removes the pieces to State B. The court applies the law of the state with the most significant relationship to the chattels and the parties.
Cameron Cruz threatens to damage Cade Carpenter's vintage motorcycle unless Carpenter transfers possession immediately. Carpenter hands over the keys under the threat. Carpenter later sues to recover the chattel on the ground that possession was obtained through duress.
Crystal Dynamics ships electronic components from State A to a warehouse in State C under a contract governed by State B law. A priority dispute develops between two secured creditors after the goods arrive. The court determines whether to apply the local law or the full law of the selected state to the chattels.
Chattel consists of movable tangible items capable of manual delivery. Real property includes land and permanent improvements affixed to land. The distinction determines which body of law governs ownership, transfer, and remedies.
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Yes. The surviving spouse may select household furniture, automobiles, and similar items up to a statutory value even if they are subject to security interests. The code provides a mechanism to make up any deficiency with other estate assets.
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Dispossession occurs when a person takes the chattel without consent, obtains it by fraud or duress, bars the possessor's access, destroys it while in another's possession, or takes it into the custody of the law.
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The license may be assigned only in connection with the conveyance of the interest in that chattel. Separate assignment of the license alone is not permitted.
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…rule of in rem jurisdiction based solely on land in State); § 60, Comment a (same as to jurisdiction based solely on chattel in State); § 68, Comment c (rule of Harris v. Balk "might be thought inconsistent with the basic principle of reasonableness") (1971). [^maj-22]: "All proceedings, like all rights, are…