California is a community property state, which means that the laws of community property govern marital estates and assets.  Generally, that means that whatever is earned or added to an estate by even one spouse during a marriage is generally seen as the property of both parties equally.  However, there are exceptions, including assets that were in place before the marriage and inheritances that are bestowed after a marriage to one person.  Anyone who does come into an inheritance, though, and wants to keep it separate should seek the advice of a San Diego family lawyer, as there are steps that should be taken to make sure that the asset does not become part of the marital estate.