Illiquid Asset: What You Need to Know About Its Legal Definition
Definition & Meaning
An illiquid asset is a type of asset that cannot be quickly converted into cash without a significant loss in value. This lack of liquidity can arise due to several factors, including:
- The absence of demand for the asset.
- The lack of an established market for trading the asset.
- The substantial costs or time required to sell the asset, such as with real estate or collectibles.
Legal Use & context
Illiquid assets are often encountered in various legal contexts, particularly in estate planning, divorce settlements, and bankruptcy proceedings. Legal professionals may use this term when assessing the value of a person's estate or determining the distribution of assets during legal disputes. Users may benefit from utilizing legal templates from US Legal Forms to manage these situations effectively.
Real-world examples
Here are a couple of examples of abatement:
Example 1: A piece of real estate that is not in a desirable location may take a long time to sell, making it an illiquid asset.
Example 2: A rare collectible, such as a vintage car, may have few interested buyers, and selling it could take considerable time and effort (hypothetical example).