incorporeal

Incorporeal is something intangible; that has no physical existence, such as a right .

In reference to law, “incorporeal” is used primarily in the context of property . Louisiana has a statute that defines corporeal and incorporeal. As per Louisiana Civil Code Article 461 , “incorporeals are things that have no physical appearance or body,” such as the rights of inheritance , servitudes , obligations and the rights of intellectual property . On the other hand, “corporeals are things that have a body, whether animate or inanimate, and can be felt or touched.” Corporeals can be both moveable and immovable, for example, land is an immovable corporeal and money is a movable corporeal property.

Under common law , incorporeal hereditament is an intangible right which is attached to property and which is inheritable. Examples of incorporeal hereditament are easements , profits and rent charges.

[Last reviewed in March of 2022 by the Wex Definitions Team ]

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