How is community property best defined?

Community property is best defined as the property acquired during the course of marriage. This legal concept identifies that assets and income earned by either spouse during the marriage are considered jointly owned, regardless of whose name is on the title. The principle underlying community property is that marriage creates a partnership where both partners contribute to the acquisition of property, thus making it a shared asset.

This definition acknowledges that the character of the property changes upon marriage; property earned or acquired after the marriage is generally subject to equal division between spouses in the event of divorce or separation. In contrast, property that existed before the marriage or that is inherited tends to be classified differently, usually as separate property belonging to the original owner. Understanding this distinction is crucial in family law, particularly when addressing issues surrounding divorce settlements and asset distribution.