Document Type
Article
Publication Date
Summer 2009
Abstract
Part I of this Article provides an overview of California's no-fault divorce reform, its haphazard development of community property laws, and the problems with the current statute classifying personal injury damages as community property during marriage and assigning those damages to the injured spouse at divorce, unless the interests of justice require an alternate disposition. Part II discusses the treatment and classification of personal injury damages in the eight other community property states and also offers a brief historical explanation of each state's community property origins. Part III concludes that the California legislature should amend the statute to classify personal injury damages according to a replacement analysis for division at both divorce and death.
Recommended Citation
1 Estate Plan. & Comm. Prop. L. J. 345 (2009).