community property

noun

U.S. Law.

(in some states) property acquired by either spouse, or both together, that is considered by law to be jointly owned and equally shared.

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Word History and Origins

Origin of community property¹

First recorded in 1920–25

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

If you live in a community property state, for example, creditors could come after jointly owned assets if your spouse fails to pay what they owe.

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In community property states such as California, both halves of the house get this step-up.

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For couples without prenups and divorcing in one of the nine community property states, assets accrued during the marriage may be split 50/50.

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Her petition said they are still ascertaining the assets to be identified as separate and community property.

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Shi’s son testified that, on a trip to Disneyland with his children in January 2016, his father raged over the state’s community property laws, which typically require an equal split of marital assets.

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Community Programme community relations

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