Who owns what in a marriage in Argentina?

Property acquired during the marriage is joint by default

In Argentina the default is a community of acquisitions, but couples can choose separation of property by a marriage agreement, which they can change later.

Updated October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.

The default, not your case. This page describes what applies when a couple sign no contract. Family law changes, and a court can decide differently on the facts of a case. For a couple with a foreign spouse, take advice in each country involved. This is general information, not legal advice.

What applies by default

Property acquired during the marriage is shared, and each spouse keeps what they owned before and what they receive by gift or inheritance.

When the marriage ends in divorce

The community of acquisitions is divided equally, and each takes their own property.

A marriage contract

Spouses may make a marriage agreement before the wedding, by public deed, to choose separation of property, and can change the regime after a period of marriage.

What stays your own, and gifts

Property from before the marriage, gifts and inheritances stay personal.

If one spouse is a foreigner

Argentina has its own rules on which law applies, so foreigners should get local advice.

Understand the legal system first

Argentina belongs to the Civil law family. Family law grows out of the legal tradition, so it helps to know how the system works.

Read the Argentina legal-system profile in the Legal Families Atlas →

Official sources

Government of Argentina: justice

TheLawToKnow Tools’s marital property guide is an educational overview of general rules. It is not legal advice, and it does not replace the official source or a lawyer in the country. Report a mistake.