Community Property in Washington
State-specific overview · Family Law
Washington recognizes community property, making all earnings and assets acquired during marriage equally owned by both spouses.
How Washington treats Community Property
Washington is one of nine community property states in the US. All property earned or acquired during the marriage is presumed community property and belongs equally to both spouses, regardless of whose name appears on the title or who earned the income. Separate property includes assets owned before marriage, gifts, inheritances, and property acquired after legal separation. Upon divorce, community property is generally divided equally, though the court may make unequal divisions in certain circumstances.
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 Washington.