Legal Definitions - bona activa

Bona activa, Latin for "active goods," refers to a person's assets. It encompasses all the property and resources owned by an individual or entity. This term also specifically includes the claims a person holds against others, representing what is owed to them.

Bona activa refers to a person's or entity's assets, specifically the claims or rights they possess against other individuals or organizations. These are things of value that are owed to them and represent a future benefit or inflow of resources.

• Example 1: Business Accounts Receivable

  A graphic design studio completes a large project for a client and sends an invoice for $10,000. The client has 30 days to pay. Until the payment is received, the $10,000 represents a bona activa for the design studio. It is a claim the studio has against the client for services rendered, and it is an asset that the studio expects to collect.

• Example 2: Personal Loan

  David lends his cousin Emily $2,000 to help her with an unexpected expense, with a clear understanding that Emily will repay the full amount within a year. David's right to receive that $2,000 back from Emily is a bona activa. It is a claim he holds against another person, representing a future financial asset for him.

• Example 3: Court Judgment

  Following a successful lawsuit, a plaintiff is awarded a court judgment ordering the defendant to pay $50,000 in damages. This judgment creates a legally enforceable claim for the plaintiff against the defendant. The $50,000 owed to the plaintiff is considered a bona activa, as it is a right to receive money from another party, established and backed by the legal system.