Personal property may be both tangible and intangible, and it includes, but not limited to, cash, savings accounts, checking accounts, stocks, bonds, jewelry, antiques, collectibles and pets. The personal property of individuals may be separate or marital and subject to distribution in a divorce.

The term personal property does not include real estate or that which is affixed to it.

A subset of personal property, personalty is a person’s stuff, as the late George Carlin put it -- the things people accumulate during a lifetime, chattels, including clothing and furnishings. All personalty should be divided by the spouses.

Sometimes items of personalty take on symbolic importance, and divorcing couples foolishly battle for their possession. That treasured Bob Dylan album that can no longer be played because neither spouse owns a working stereo takes on great symbolism because it was purchased during the happier times. Couples should stand back and get a grip. Possession of these relics of a failed marriage vindicates no one, and paying a lawyer to fight for them dissipates money both spouses will need to start a new life.