Expat Community > Colombia

JackE
Joined 2022
Posts: 28

What is Colombia's Community Property System?

1 year ago

I searched, but could not find anything on this.

My state of Washington is a Community Property state. Is Colombia similar in that what each spouse brings into the marriage remains that spouses' property with similar rules if a marriage dissolves?

There is also a concept called 'absolute community property' in which all property owned by either spouse becomes conjugal property upon marriage. Is that the case in Colombia?

The general definition is, "Community property is the assets, income, and debts acquired while the spouses were married excluding the same brought into the marriage prior to marriage". Some exceptions are gifts and inheritance given specifically to only one spouse.

My question pertains to the meaning of 'acquired during marriage'. In Washington, 'acquired during marriage' means acquired with income and/or income also acquired during the marriage. And not acquired with assets brought into the marriage.

Specifically, if I purchase a property with assets I brought into the marriage or from the sale of one of those assets, say a property, does the property stay out of the Community Property definition?

I have had some suggestions that a property bought in Colombia becomes community property regardless of the source of my funds before or after marriage. Does that rule also apply to properties I buy in the US with my funds?

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