Legal Definitions - bona et catalla

Bona et catalla is a Latin legal phrase that translates to "goods and chattels." In modern legal terms, it refers to all types of personal property. This includes any movable items an individual or entity owns that are not permanently attached to land. Essentially, "bona et catalla" encompasses everything that isn't real estate (land and buildings).

Here are some examples to illustrate this concept:

• Estate Administration: When a person passes away, their will or the laws of intestacy dictate how their assets are distributed. The executor of the estate would identify all the deceased's "bona et catalla," which would include items like their vehicles, furniture, artwork, jewelry, bank account balances, and investment portfolios. These are all personal possessions distinct from any real estate (like a house or land) they might have owned.

• Business Transactions: Imagine a small business owner selling their coffee shop. The sale agreement would typically specify the transfer of all the business's "bona et catalla." This would cover the espresso machines, display cases, tables and chairs, inventory of coffee beans and pastries, and even the cash in the register. These are all movable assets of the business, separate from the building itself, which might be leased or owned as real property.

• Loan Collateral: A person seeking a loan might offer valuable personal items as security. For instance, they could pledge a collection of rare books and a vintage motorcycle as collateral. In a legal document, these items could be referred to as "bona et catalla" that are being used to secure the debt. They are tangible, movable possessions that hold value and are not considered real estate.