Which of the following constitutes community property in a typical community property state?

• A. A valuable antique desk Jill received as a birthday gift from her uncle
• B. Two acres of unimproved land adjacent to their home that Jack received under his father's will
• C. A beach home purchased with their combined employment savings and titled in Jack's name alone
• D. A sailboat Jill received from her mother by intestacy

Answer: (C)

In community property states, property acquired during the marriage with funds contributed by either spouse generally belongs to both spouses as community property, regardless of whose name appears on the title. Gifts or inheritances given to one spouse, or property owned before the marriage, remain that spouse’s separate property.

The beach home fits this rule because it was purchased during the marriage with their combined savings (community funds). Even though the deed is in Jack’s name alone, the purchase was made with money from both spouses, so the home is community property.

By contrast, the antique desk was Jill’s gift, the land came to Jack by inheritance, and the sailboat was Jill’s inheritance; all are typically treated as separate property.