Angela received a $150,000 gift from her parents during her marriage to Derek. She used the entire gift to purchase a vacation cabin in the Cascades, titled solely in her name. Derek later claims he has a community property interest in the cabin. Under Washington law, which of the following is most accurate?

Correct Answer

B) The cabin is Angela's separate property because it was purchased entirely with gifted funds, which are separate property

Under Washington law (RCW 26.16.010), property acquired by one spouse during the marriage as a gift is classified as separate property. Angela received the $150,000 as a gift (separate property) and used it exclusively to purchase the cabin. The cabin therefore retains the separate property character of the funds used to purchase it, provided the funds were not commingled with community property. Derek has no community property interest in the cabin.