Delaware Community Property Agreement, also known as a Delaware Marital Property Agreement, is a legal contract that outlines the ownership and division of marital property between spouses in the state of Delaware. This agreement allows couples to define their own rules and secure their financial interests in the event of divorce, separation, or death. A community property agreement is typically used by married couples who wish to establish a community property regime rather than relying on the default laws of Delaware. Under this agreement, both spouses agree that all property acquired during the marriage, including income, assets, and debts, will be jointly owned and evenly divided between them in the event of divorce or death. It is important to note that Delaware is not a community property state by default. In the absence of a community property agreement, Delaware follows an equitable distribution system, which means that property is divided fairly but not necessarily equally between spouses. By establishing a community property agreement, couples can create their own rules and have more control over the division of assets. There are different types of community property agreements in Delaware: 1. Delaware General Community Property Agreement: This agreement covers all types of property acquired during the marriage. Both marital income and assets are considered community property and will be divided equally between spouses. 2. Partial Community Property Agreement: Couples may choose to designate only specific properties or assets as community property, leaving the rest as separate property. This agreement allows more flexibility in determining how certain assets are divided. 3. Termination of Community Property Agreement: Spouses can modify or terminate their community property agreement by having a written agreement specifying the changes. This is particularly useful when couples wish to convert community property into separate property or vice versa. 4. Agreement for Postnuptial Conversion to Community Property: This type of agreement is entered into after the marriage and serves to convert the existing separate property into community property. It allows couples to change the nature of their assets and provides a clear framework for the division of property going forward. In summary, a Delaware Community Property Agreement is a legally binding contract that enables married couples in Delaware to establish their own rules for the ownership and division of marital property. It offers a level of control and certainty over property rights, notably in the event of divorce or death. By understanding the different types of agreements available, couples can tailor their community property arrangements to suit their specific needs and preferences.