The marital community is the legal entity created by marriage under Arizona community property law. Property and income acquired during the marriage generally belong to the marital community rather than to either spouse individually. The community terminates upon death, divorce, or service of a dissolution petition.

Understanding when the marital community begins and ends matters for property characterization. Pre-marriage assets are separate. Post-service assets are generally separate. Assets acquired between marriage and service are community.

The marital community is not a separate legal entity for most purposes. It is a conceptual framework for allocating property rights and debts between married people.