Chose in Action

The right to bring a lawsuit to recover chattels, money, or a debt.

A chose in action is a comprehensive term used to describe a property right or the right to possession of something that can only be obtained or enforced through legal action. It is used in contradistinction to chose in possession, which refers to cases where title to money or property is in one person but possession is held by another.

Examples of a chose in action are the right of an heir to interest in the estate of his or her decedent; the right to sue for damages for an injury; and the right of an employee to unpaid wages.