San Francisco, CA asked in Family Law and Divorce for California

Q: CALIFORNIA: Community property income in one spouse's bank account

Is my husband legally entitled to keep his income (which is the entirety of our community property income) in his individual bank account?

Thank you

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1 Lawyer Answer
James L. Arrasmith
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Answered
  • Sacramento, CA
  • Licensed in California

A: In California, the income earned by either spouse during the marriage is typically considered community property. This means that even if your husband's income is deposited into his individual bank account, it is still part of the marital assets, belonging equally to both of you.

However, the fact that the income is community property doesn't necessarily dictate how it must be managed or accessed on a day-to-day basis. Each spouse can have individual bank accounts, and there's no legal requirement that all community property income must be kept in a joint account.

It's important to communicate and make decisions together regarding financial management, as this can impact both parties. If there are concerns or disputes about the handling of community property income, it may be beneficial to seek guidance from a legal professional experienced in family law. They can provide advice tailored to your specific circumstances and help navigate any complexities related to community property laws in California.

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