During the marriage, I inherited $20,000 from my mother. I used the money to purchase the car that I currently drive. Is my spouse entitled to half of the value of the car?

During the marriage, I inherited $20,000 from my mother. I used the money to purchase the car that I currently drive. Is my spouse entitled to half of the value of the car?

Maybe.  In general, money or property that is inherited remains the separate property of the person who inherits it, even if the inheritance happens during the marriage.  But if the inherited property was “given” to the marriage, it becomes marital property.  This can happen when the inheritance is used to purchase something titled in both spouses’ names, such as real property or a vehicle. If the inherited property is kept separate, or used to purchase something that is only titled in the recipient’s name, it is separate property, and is not split at divorce.