Legal Definitions - separatio bonorum

Definition: Separatio bonorum is a Latin term that refers to the "privilege of separation" in Roman law. It is the right of a creditor of a deceased person to have their property separated from the property of an heir.

This separation protects the creditor by ensuring that the property of the deceased is not used to pay the debts of the heir. For example, if a person dies and leaves behind a debt, their creditor can use the beneficium separationis to ensure that the property inherited by their heir is not used to pay off the debt.

Another example would be if a person dies and leaves behind both assets and debts. The beneficium separationis would allow the creditor to claim only the assets of the deceased and not the assets of the heir.

Overall, the beneficium separationis was an important legal concept in Roman law that protected the rights of creditors and ensured that the property of the deceased was distributed fairly.