In California, most assets acquired during marriage are owned equally by both spouses. This form of ownership stipulates that upon the death of one spouse, the surviving spouse automatically inherits the decedent’s share of the assets, bypassing probate court. For example, a jointly owned house would automatically transfer full ownership to the surviving spouse. This transfer avoids the time, expense, and public disclosure associated with probate proceedings.
This automatic inheritance feature provides significant benefits, including simplified estate administration and immediate access to assets for the surviving spouse. Historically, it offered a streamlined way to ensure the surviving spouse’s financial security. This type of joint ownership provides peace of mind knowing the surviving partner will have uninterrupted control of shared resources.