Community Property / Seperate Property
Arizona is a community property state.
“Community Property” means property acquired by the husband and wife during the marriage. In Arizona, the law presumes that any property acquired during the marriage by either spouse is community property. Community property can be land or buildings, or businesses, and also personal property, such as bank accounts, investment accounts, jewelry, home furnishings, automobiles, boats, stock options and the wages or earnings of either spouse during the marriage. Retirement plans and pensions can also be part of the community property estate.
“Separate Property” means any property acquired by a person before the marriage. Separate property also includes property acquired by a spouse by gift or inheritance during the marriage. Any increase in value of separate property is also considered separate property of the spouse.
