Community Property in Louisiana
State-specific overview · Family Law
Louisiana recognizes community property; spouses own equally all property acquired during marriage except separate property.
How Louisiana treats Community Property
Louisiana is the only US state with a civil law tradition and the only state that recognizes community property as a default regime. All property acquired during marriage by either spouse belongs equally to both spouses unless it qualifies as separate property (inherited, gifted, or owned before marriage). Each spouse has equal management and control rights over community property, and upon death or divorce, community property is divided equally between spouses. Louisiana's community property system applies automatically unless spouses execute a matrimonial regime agreement to opt out.
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 Louisiana.