Community Property in Connecticut
State-specific overview · Family Law
Connecticut uses equitable distribution; marital property acquired during marriage is divided fairly, with courts considering length of marriage and each spouse's contributions.
How Connecticut treats Community Property
Connecticut is not a community property state. Under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46b-81, courts divide marital property equitably, considering factors such as the length of the marriage, each spouse's earning capacity, and contributions to the marriage, including homemaking. Property acquired during the marriage is presumed marital unless proven separate through inheritance, gift, or agreement. Courts may award unequal distributions based on the specific circumstances of each case.
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 Connecticut.