separate property states

Separate property states are jurisdictions where the assets a person owns before marriage, as well as inheritances or gifts received individually during marriage, remain their exclusive property. These assets are not automatically shared with a spouse upon divorce, unless they are commingled or explicitly combined with marital assets. The main distinction is that each spouse's separate property is protected and remains separate, unlike community property states where most assets acquired during marriage are jointly owned. Understanding this helps spouses clarify ownership rights and financial responsibilities during and after marriage.