California Probate
What is separate property in California?
Short answer
Assets one spouse owned before marriage, or received as a gift or inheritance during marriage, kept separately. Separate property does not automatically pass to the surviving spouse — it passes according to the will, trust, or intestate succession. The line between separate…
What this usually means
Assets one spouse owned before marriage, or received as a gift or inheritance during marriage, kept separately. Separate property does not automatically pass to the surviving spouse — it passes according to the will, trust, or intestate succession. The line between separate and community property can be complicated if funds were mixed.
What to do next
- Start the PathAfter checklist for situation-aware first steps.
- Find California county help for coroner contacts, vital records, cost tools, and paperwork.
- Open the First 72 Hours Call Log before making calls.
- Open the Documents to Find Checklist when you are ready for paperwork.