Family Code section 2251

(a)

If a determination is made that a marriage is void or voidable and the court finds that either party or both parties believed in good faith that the marriage was valid, the court shall:

(1)

Declare the party or parties, who believed in good faith that the marriage was valid, to have the status of a putative spouse.

(2)

If the division of property is in issue, divide, in accordance with Division 7 (commencing with Section 2500), that property acquired during the union that would have been community property or quasi-community property if the union had not been void or voidable, only upon request of a party who is declared a putative spouse under paragraph (1). This property is known as “quasi-marital property.”

(b)

If the court expressly reserves jurisdiction, it may make the property division at a time after the judgment.

Source: Section 2251, https://leginfo.­legislature.­ca.­gov/faces/codes_displaySection.­xhtml?lawCode=FAM§ionNum=2251.­ (updated Jan. 1, 2016; accessed Jul. 6, 2026).

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Verified:
Jul. 6, 2026

§ 2251's source at ca​.gov