One spouse owned the home before the marriage
When community money pays down a mortgage on a home one spouse owned first, the community earns a share of that home — including a share of how much it has grown. California has a real formula for this, and it is worth getting right: the obvious shortcut is off by thousands in exactly the cases where the number matters.
Fill in what you know and you will see the share, every step, and the decision each step comes from. California Our figures match the published decisions to the cent →
The numbers
Must be before the marriage — bought during the marriage is a different rule (§2640).
The community percentage stops growing here.
What was paid originally: this is the denominator, not today’s value.
Paid from separate funds at purchase.
Principal only: never interest, taxes or insurance.
The numerator: community money that reduced the loan, up to separation.
Traceable separate money: credits the owner dollar for dollar, never the percentage.
From separate earnings; cannot grow the percentage.
Growth before this date belongs entirely to the separate estate.
Unlocks the alternative column that stops appreciation at separation.
Both approaches value the home today (§2552).