What is "separate property"?

Separate property is property that is not part of the marriage as a whole, but rather belongs exclusively to either the husband or the wife. Any property that can be "alienated" (disposed of, sold, given away, left in a will) by one partner without requiring the permission of the other partner is separate property.

Separate property is not divided during the divorce, but rather is retained by the spouse who owned it during the marriage.