What type of property ownership is characterized by being owned solely by one spouse before and during a marriage?

The type of property ownership characterized by being owned solely by one spouse before and during a marriage is severalty. Ownership in severalty refers to property that is owned by a single individual, which means that one person's name is on the title and they have complete control over the property. This is distinct from other forms of ownership that involve shared interests among multiple parties.

In the context of marriage, if one spouse owns property in severalty, it means that the property does not automatically belong to the other spouse, despite their marital relationship. This distinction is important in legal and financial matters, especially in cases of divorce or inheritance, as the ownership does not convert simply due to marriage.

Community property involves joint ownership of property acquired during the marriage, while joint tenancy and tenancy in common are forms of concurrent ownership that involve multiple parties. Therefore, understanding severalty is crucial for grasping how ownership rights can be maintained as individual versus shared interests.