Community property

Property that is jointly owned by a lawfully married husband and wife

Some states have community property, where each spouse owns one-half of the property bought during their marriage. In general, both spouses have equal control how the property is managed, and if one spouse wants to hand over his/her interest to someone else, the other must agree. Also, either spouse can will their share to anyone they want.

Until death do we part takes on new meaning when either spouse dies without a will - the surviving spouse receives all the property and the children, if any, don’t get anything. Any property that a spouse buys with money that doesn’t come from a community source is considered separate property.

Compare: Tenancy in common, Joint tenancy