When a husband and wife are living separate and apart, their respective earnings and accumulations shall be the separate property of each. The earnings and accumulations of minor children shall be the separate property of the spouse who has their custody or, if no custody award has been made, then the separate property of the spouse with whom said children are living.

[1972 ex.s. c 108 § 5; Code 1881 § 2413; RRS § 6896.]