The exceptions to community property are funds or things that are: Owned by one spouse before the date of marriage. Inherited by one spouse before, during or after the marriage. Gifted to one spouse. Property purchased with separate funds during the marriage.
The parties acknowledge that, to convert additional separate property of either party into com- munity property, the parties must prepare and sign a separate written instrument. This agreement may be enforced by suit in law or equity by either of the parties or by their heirs, executors, attorneys, or assigns.
Even if only one spouse's name is on the deed, any property bought during the marriage is presumed to be community property, unless it was bought with separate property funds. The spouse claiming it as separate property must prove it in court.
Texas is one of nine states that is a community property jurisdiction. In general, this means that any property acquired by a couple during their marriage (with a few exceptions) is equally owned by both spouses.
Code § 4.102. Current with legislation from the 2023 Regular and Special Sessions signed by the Governor as of November 21, 2023. At any time, the spouses may partition or exchange between themselves all or part of their community property, then existing or to be acquired, as the spouses may desire.
Texas presumes property acquired during marriage is community property, but exceptions exist for separate property owned before marriage or received as gifts. Inheritances remain separate property if not commingled with community assets. Keep inheritances in a separate account to maintain their status.
Community vs. Separate property, as defined under Texas law, is any asset that you owned before your marriage, as well as anything you received individually as a gift or inheritance during your marriage. Pre-marriage ownership – Anything you owned before you got married remains solely yours.
"Partition" is the legal term referring to the division of real property interests among co-owners. While parties can reach a partition agreement outside of court, most often a partition is accomplished by filing a lawsuit in the appropriate court.
There are two potential pathways in seeking a partition: Partitions may be in kind (meaning that property is divided into separate parcels and each parcel is allotted to a separate owner) or by sale (meaning that property is sold and sale proceeds are divided among the owners).
4.102. PARTITION OR EXCHANGE OF COMMUNITY PROPERTY. At any time, the spouses may partition or exchange between themselves all or part of their community property, then existing or to be acquired, as the spouses may desire.