Washington State Is a Community Property State, Not Separate Property

Washington is one of nine community property states (AZ, CA, ID, LA, NV, NM, TX, WA, WI).

Community property means: most assets and debts acquired during marriage by either spouse are owned 50/50, regardless of who earned or titled them. Exceptions: gifts, inheritances, pre-marital assets (if kept separate).

Upon divorce, community property is divided equitably (usually equally). Separate property states use “equitable distribution” instead.