Legal Question in Family Law in California

Re: Marriage

The 10 year number refers to a lengthy marriage. After a lengthy marriage the court must find that she is able to support herself before spousal support can be terminated. Community property interests commence to accumulate as soon as you say I Do. Whether there will be a community property interest developed in the property you already own will depend upon many factor. The only way to protect your assets is to discuss the matter with an attorney and develop a plan to reduce the community property interest in your separate property. Once you are married your income becomes community property. You cannot gift community property to yourself by paying separate property costs, such as mortgage payments.