community property的意思|示意

Community property is a legal term used to describe the division between the assets and liabilities of a married couple. It is the basis for the division of marital property in most states, although the laws vary from state to state. In a community property state, when a couple gets married, any assets or liabilities acquired during the marriage are deemed to be jointly owned and each partner is generally responsible for any debts incurred by the other.

Community property laws generally apply to all assets acquired during the marriage, such as houses, cars, furniture, and other property, as well as income earned during the marriage. Property acquired before the marriage, or as a result of an inheritance is generally not considered community property. The same is true of debts, such as student loans or credit card debt incurred before the marriage. In most states, one partner cannot transfer his or her share of community property as a gift or in exchange for another asset.

In the event of a divorce, community property is divided fairly between the two parties. This is known as an “equitable division” and is determined by a number of factors such as the length of the marriage and each partner’s contributions to the marriage. The division of property is not necessarily equal, but the court will strive to be fair to both parties.

While community property laws have been in effect for some time, many couples choose to enter into a pre- or post-nuptial agreement that specifies how their assets should be divided in the event of a divorce. This gives both parties more control over their own finances, as well as providing some peace of mind should the marriage end.