Community property is a type of marital property system that exists today in only a few states, including California and Arizona. In a community property state, most property that people obtain during a marriage is seen as community property, or property that is owned jointly by the parties. Applicable state law then operates so as to divide community property upon the parties' separation and/or divorce. If you are going through a divorce in a community property state, you should seek the advice of a community property lawyer to assist you in determining the nature of the property that you own, i.e. whether it can be designated as community property or separate property for the purposes of divorce laws in your state.