![\"Divorce](\"http:\/\/www.cadivorcemediators.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/11597904_ml.jpg\")
<\/a>Dividing community property and debts is one of the primary goals of a divorce settlement. California is a community property state, which means that most property and debts acquired during a marriage are considered to be community property by default.<\/p>\nWhen divorcing, it is important to remember that community property and debts are still owned jointly by the couple until a settlement agreement is reached and the judge issues a final order based on that agreement. This is true even if the couple has already come to a personal agreement on how property should be divided. Therefore, financial actions should be performed with caution until the final order is issued.<\/p>\n
Date of Separation<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Only property and debt acquired by the couple over the course of the marriage is considered community property; property and debts acquired before or after the marriage is separate property. Therefore, it is very important to establish the date of separation.<\/p>\n