What is the main characteristic of a community property system?

The main characteristic of a community property system is that it establishes joint property ownership among spouses. In such a system, any property acquired during the marriage is considered the joint property of both spouses, regardless of who purchased it or whose name is on the title. This means that if the couple were to divorce or one spouse were to pass away, both partners would have equal rights to the shared property.

The essence of community property laws is to promote fairness and equality within a marriage, ensuring that both partners contribute equally to the financial resources of the household, and as a result, both have equal claims to those resources. This approach contrasts with separate property systems where individuals maintain sole ownership of certain assets.

Other aspects, such as shared profits or joint debts, are elements related to the financial dynamic in a marriage, but they don't specifically define community property. Ownership division and joint assets are outcomes of community property laws, but the key feature lies in the concept of joint ownership itself, which encompasses all property acquired during the marriage.