Community Property Bar Flashcards
For basic assumptions, there are 5 mini paragraphs. What are the main concepts for each mini paragraph?
(1) CA is a community property state and what is CP and what is SP
(2) Who the burden is on and the concept of tracing
(3) MEC begin, end, facade
(4) Upon divorce, distribution of CP assets and liabilities and of SP
(5) At death, what surviving spouse receives
First mini paragraph on CA is a CP state and what entails CP and SP
California is a community property state. All property acquired during the marriage is community property. Property is separate property where it is acquired before marriage, after permanent separation, through gift or inheritance, the rents and income derived from separate property, and property purchased with separate property funds.
Second mini paragraph on the burden on the spouse
The burden is on the spouse claiming SP to defeat the CP presumption. Courts use the source rule to determine the character of the property by tracing the funds used to acquire the property.
Third mini paragraph on MEC
The Marital Economic Community (MEC) begins on the date of marriage. The MEC ends when either spouse dies, upon divorce, or when either spouse evidences the intent to not return to the marital relation coupled with conduct to support such intent. Where a couple maintains the facade of marriage, the MEC has not ended.
Fourth mini paragraph on upon divorce
Upon divorce, each spouse is entitled to 1/2 of the CP. This applies to assets as well as to liabilities. Each item of CP should be distributed evenly unless economic circumstances warrant a different distribution. Also, at divorce, each spouse keeps his or her own SP.
Fifth and last mini paragraph on upon death
Upon death, the surviving spouse receives 100% of the CP. Also, the surviving spouse is entitled to between a one-third and full interest in the decedent’s SP depending on how many, if any, issue or heirs were left behind.
How is income characterized?
Generally, all assets acquired during marriage are CP including income during marriage. The fact that income is placed in a separate account does not change the characterization.
Income made while living and separate apart is not considered within the definition of “during marriage” and is this the spouse’s SP.
Note: Tort awards are not income
How are tort awards characerized?
The date that characterizes the award is the date of the accident, not the date when the settlement was received.
Tort awards from before the marriage are SP.
Tort awards from during the marriage are CP during the marriage but are fully treated as the injured spouse’s SP upon divorce, unless the interests of justice dictate otherwise or the money has already been spent.
The CP or the SP of the non-injured spouse can seek reimbursement for expenses related to the injury.
Upon death, the awards are treated as CP.
How are tort liabilities characterized? What is the order upon which judgments can be paid?
Tort liabilities are the SP of the tortfeasor spouse unless the tortfeasor spouse was acting in the interests of the community.
Where the tortfeasor spouse did not act in the interests of the community, the tortfeasor’s SP should be exhausted first and then CP. The non tortfeasor spouse’s SP cannot be reached by creditors.
Where the tortfeasor spouse acted in the benefit of the community, the CP should first be exhausted and then the tortfeasor spouse’s SP. The SP of the non-tortfeasor spouse is not liable.
How are pensions characterized?
Pensions earned during the marriage are CP, regardless of whether the pensions are received during the marriage or after the marriage.
Where pensions are earned for work before and during marriage, the Time Rule is applied where the CP interest in the pensions is calculated by the number of years married while pension received over the number of total years the pension was received. This share is multiplied by the total amount of pensions available to determine the CP amount.
The remainder is SP. received during the marriage are CP.
Where
What is the rule regarding putting your pension benefits in a will and the one exception?
One may bequest their share of continuing benefits with the exception of ERISA benefits, which cannot be included in a will (where federal law preempts CA community property law)
Where the spouse eligible for retirement benefits chooses not to retire, what occurs?
The court may order a QDRO, a qualified domestic relations order, upon which the other spouse is entitled to receive benefits as if the spouse had retired.
How are stock options treated - overall header
If stock options vest during marriage, they are treated as CP.
If stock options are received during marriage but vest after marriage, one of two formulas is used.
If the purpose of the stock options was to incentivize the employee to remain with the company, what is the numerator? [metlife example]
Date the option was granted until the MEC ends
What is the denominator?
Date option granted until it becomes exercisable
If the purpose is to reward performance, what is the numerator?
Years employee married until MEC ended
What is the denominator?
Years employee married until shares became exercisable.
The figures above are CP. The share is multiplied by the total shares to determine the amount.
How is severance pay characterized?
Courts are split
Some treat as CP, where the pay recognized labor performed during marriage
Others treat as SP because it replaces future wages
For disability payments, what is the characterization approach?
Look to the intent of the payment
- If to replace current earnings: CP
- If to replace future earnings: SP
does CP or SP own the disability policy?
whichever pays the premiums owns the policy
How is good will defined and calculated at a high level and which part is CP
A business’s good will is the degree to which its reputation is regarded as a quantifiable asset, calculated by payments made in excess of the FMV in an acquisition. Good will is CP to the extent it was earned during the marriage
How is a spouse’s degree treated? the actual degree
Actual paper degree is always SP, even if the CP paid for the degree.
How are educational expenses treated where CP paid for it?
CP is entitled to reimbursement for educational expenses except in 3 situations
(1) Reduced the need for spousal support of the educated spouse
(2) The other spouse also benefitted from CP funding of education
(3) The community substantially benefitted from the education (presumed after 10 years)
How are educational loans treated?
Always the SP of the educated spouse