Community Property in Arizona
State-specific overview · Family Law
Arizona recognizes community property; all property acquired during marriage belongs equally to both spouses unless acquired by gift or inheritance.
How Arizona treats Community Property
Arizona law presumes that property acquired during marriage is community property owned 50/50 by both spouses, regardless of who earned the income. Separate property includes assets owned before marriage, gifts, inheritances, and property acquired after legal separation. Upon divorce, community property is divided equally unless the spouses agree otherwise or the court finds good cause to deviate. Arizona Revised Statutes § 25-211 governs the characterization of marital property.
The general definition of Community Property
Property acquired during marriage that is owned equally by both spouses, regardless of who earned it.
Community property is a legal system used in certain states where most assets and income earned during a marriage belong equally to both spouses. It doesn't matter whose name is on the title or who earned the money—the law presumes it's jointly owned. When the marriage ends, community property is typically divided equally between the spouses. Separate property (owned before marriage or inherited) stays with the original owner.
Read the full Community Property entry →This page is a plain-English reference and is not legal advice. State laws change frequently. For specific situations consult a licensed attorney in Arizona.