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California Law ⏱️ 9 min read ✓ Verified Educational Standard

Moore-Marsden Calculation Explained

The Moore/Marsden formula calculates the community property interest acquired when marital funds are used to pay down mortgage principal on a house owned separately by one spouse prior to marriage.

⚖️ Legal Disclaimer: PE Proper is educational and workflow organization software. Content in this Knowledge Center is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice, Marital property division rules, tax consequences, and judicial precedents vary by jurisdiction. We highly recommend consulting a qualified family law attorney or legal firm in your state for advice regarding your specific case.

The Moore/Marsden Formula Breakdown

When one spouse purchases a home prior to marriage (separate property), but during the marriage community funds are used to pay down the mortgage principal, the community acquires a pro-tanto equity interest in the property under the California Supreme Court cases In re Marriage of Moore (1980) and In re Marriage of Marsden (1982).

The Moore/Marsden Formula Components

  1. Separate Property Equity Share: Purchase Price minus Original Loan + Pre-marital Appreciation + (Separate Loan Principal Paid ÷ Purchase Price × Marital Appreciation).
  2. Community Property Equity Share: (Community Loan Principal Paid ÷ Purchase Price × Marital Appreciation) + Community Loan Principal Paid.

Each spouse receives 50% of the calculated Community Property Equity Share upon division.

Related Knowledge Guides

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What Is Divorce Property Equalization?
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How to Create a Divorce Personal Property Inventory
Valuation & Appraisals
How to Value Household Property During Divorce
Division Tactics
How to Divide Furniture and Household Items During Divorce

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