Which ownership model is based on the principle that spouses are equal partners in the marriage?

The ownership model that reflects the principle of spouses being equal partners in a marriage is community property. In community property states, any property acquired during the marriage is considered jointly owned by both spouses, regardless of who earned the income or whose name is on the title. This legal framework promotes the idea of equality between partners in terms of property rights.

Community property laws are designed to protect the interests of both spouses and ensure that, upon divorce or death, the division of property is fair and equitable. It typically includes income, real estate, and tangible personal property gained during the marriage, with certain exceptions for gifts and inheritances.

The other ownership models described differ in significant ways: tenancy by the entirety is a form of joint ownership specifically for married couples, but it emphasizes survivorship rights rather than equal partnership in the same way as community property. Joint tenancy involves co-ownership with rights of survivorship and can include individuals who are not married, which shifts the focus from spousal equality to shared ownership. Tenancy in common allows for fractional ownership percentages by individuals who may or may not be related, and it does not provide the same protections or principles of equality seen in community property arrangements.