Community property is property that is considered to be equally owned by both partners in a marriage. It is not a binding law in all fifty states. States that do recognize community property say that all property other than inheritance and specific gifts is joints owned by both marital spouses. When planning an estate, individuals who live in states that recognize community property must remember to specifically endow their spouse with any parts of the marital property they want them to have. Or, they may bequeath their portion of the marital assets to whomever they wish. In states where community property laws do exist couples can assure that should death occur the remaining spouse receives the property by filing a document called a windows election to forgo any ensuing legal issues.