Couples

In France, marriage is open to both heterosexual couples and same-sex couples.

When they get married, spouses may choose their matrimonial property regime in a marriage contract signed before a notary, and may amend this regime during their marriage. The Alexandre Boiché firm can help you draft or amend a marriage contract.

Marriage brings about rights and duties for the spouses. Under Article 212 of the French Civil Code, spouses owe one another mutual respect, faithfulness, support and assistance. Together, the spouses also provide for the moral guidance and material needs of the family and the upbringing of their children. Spouses are obligated to contribute to household expenses.

Spouses are jointly liable to third parties for debts incurred for household needs. The spouses’ home, regardless of whether it belongs to both spouses or to one spouse, is protected; it cannot be sold without the approval of both spouses.

A marriage is dissolved by divorce or by the death of one of the spouses.

By entering into a civil union (PACS), partners agree to share a household and provide material support and mutual assistance to one another. Except for joint liability toward third parties for debts incurred for daily needs, civil unions do not have an effect on the partners’ estates, unless the partners agree otherwise.

A PACS agreement sets forth the commitments the partners are undertaking. The Alexandre Boiché firm can help you draft this agreement.

A PACS must then be registered at city hall or with a notary.

A PACS is dissolved by the death of one of the partners, by a joint declaration by both partners or by a unilateral declaration by one of the partners.

Cohabitation is a de facto union, characterized by a shared household that has a stable and continuous nature, between two persons of opposite sexes or of the same sex who live together as a couple. It is a type of union that does not have a legal framework.

However, this type of union does have legal consequences if the couple separates when there are minor children or jointly acquired real estate.