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HomeFamily CodeDiv. 4Pt. 3Ch. 2§ 911 Married Person Earnings Protection

§ 911 Married Person Earnings Protection

Family Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 911 Married Person Earnings Protection

Key Takeaways

  • •Money you earn after getting married can't be taken to pay your spouse's debts from before you were married.
  • •To keep your money safe, put it in a bank account only you can use, and don't mix it with money you share with your spouse.
  • •This rule only covers money you earn from working, like your paycheck.

Example

Before marrying Alex, Taylor had a big credit card debt. After they got married, Cameron started working and earning money.

Taylor's old credit card company can't take Cameron's paycheck to pay off Taylor's debt, as long as Cameron keeps their money in a separate bank account that Taylor can't access.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 911 Married Person Earnings Protection

(a) The earnings of a married person during marriage are not liable for a debt incurred by the person’s spouse before marriage. After the earnings of the married person are paid, they remain not liable so long as they are held in a deposit account in which the person’s spouse has no right of withdrawal and are uncommingled with other property in the community estate, except property insignificant in amount. (b) As used in this section: (1) “Deposit account” has the meaning prescribed in paragraph (29) of subdivision (a) of Section 9102 of the Commercial Code. (2) “Earnings” means compensation for personal services performed, whether as an employee or otherwise. (Amended by Stats. 1999, Ch. 991, Sec. 42.5. Effective January 1, 2000. Operative July 1, 2001, by Sec. 75 of Ch. 991.)

Last verified: January 21, 2026

Key Terms

earningsdeposit accountdebt incurred by the person’s spouse before marriageuncommingledcommunity estate

Related Statutes

  • § 910 Spousal Debt Liability Rules
  • § 915 Support Obligation Reimbursement Rules
  • § 1600 Premarital Agreement Act
  • § 1601 Premarital Agreement Effective Date
  • § 1610 Premarital Agreement Definitions

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Family Code. Section 911.
View Official Source