John and Jane are a married couple who live together in a home in California. They acquired the property shortly after their wedding twenty years ago. Jane has a photography studio in a loft above the garage where she meets with clients weekly. John, an avid builder, has spent … [Read more...]
California community property explained
Jack and Jane fell in love, and Jane moved into Jack's San Francisco apartment that he had purchased and paid off years earlier. Two years later, Jack and Jane married and bought a second home in Sausalito. The couple used Jack's bonuses earned during marriage for the down … [Read more...]
Did your spouse acquire a community property interest in your separate property house? (Moore-Marsden)
You inherited or received real estate as a gift before or during marriage, or bought a house before getting married. You used your salaries, bonuses, commissions, or other income earned during marriage to make improvements or pay the mortgage principal on the property. You don't … [Read more...]
Should you become your ex-spouse’s creditor?
You're negotiating a separation or divorce agreement, and your spouse offers to pay you $X monthly for X years in exchange for your ownership interest in the house, retirement account, stock options or some other valuable asset. Should you accept your spouse's offer? Should you … [Read more...]
Are gifts or inheritance separate property in California?
You received a significant gift or inheritance while married and living in California post-1975. Now you want to know, is the gift or inheritance separate property under California law? Property acquired during marriage by gift, will, or inheritance is separate property. … [Read more...]