This is a common and special form of property ownership created between husband and wife. Compared to tenancy in entirety wherein the ownership is treated as though the property is owned by only one person, each spouse has a right to one-half of the asset under the community property arrangement.

Community property arrangement

Community property arrangement

This entails that the properties acquired during the marriage by either the husband or the wife is owned jointly and equally by both spouses. This does not include however the property owned by either spouse before the marriage, or the property received by either spouse as a gift or inheritance during the marriage. The ownership agreement is only terminated and the property is only divided upon separation, divorce, annulment or death.