Divorce law cataluña
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Transcript of Divorce law cataluña
Regional Divorce Law in Spain:Cataluña
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If you are thinking about getting divorced in Spain
please make sure to view:
10 Must Know Facts For Anyone Planning To Divorc
e in Spain
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Which law Applies?
If a couple who are both English and were married in
England but live in Cataluña, which law is applied to their
divorce proceedings?
How about a couple who possess different nationalities, both
having been resident in Cataluña?
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Which law Applies?
The Spanish Civil Code (Art. 107) provides that the laws
applicable to divorce proceedings in Spain shall be:
1) The law of the country of which the spouses share a
common nationality
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Which law Applies?
2) If there is not a common nationality, the law of the land in
which they are both normally resident
3) If the spouses are not normally resident in the same
country then the last country in which they were resident
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Which law Applies?
So, should a couple married in England apply for divorce
proceedings in Spain then the Spanish court shall apply the
law applicable in England.
However, the same couple could request that Spanish law be
applied if they are both normally resident in Spain.
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Which law Applies?
Spanish law is also applied in the case of a mixed nationality
marriage where both spouses are ordinarily resident in
Spain.
Given the number of people in this situation it is therefore
important to consider the application of Spanish divorce laws.
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Spanish Divorce Laws
In order to determine the Spanish legal rules that govern
matters such as the distribution of marital assets upon a
divorce it is first necessary to ascertain the 'system' of
economic relations marriage that the couple have agreed to.
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The two most important 'systems' of marriage are:
1) Sociedad de Gananciales
2) Separación de Bienes
Briefly, these can be defined as follows:
Spanish Divorce Laws
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Sociedad de Gananciales
Upon marriage a 'union of assets' is formed whereby all
future assets acquired during the course of the marriage
pertains to this 'union' and which upon dissolution of the
marriage should be shared between the spouses.
Spanish Divorce Laws
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Separación de Bienes
Both of the spouses retain all rights to assets acquired during
the marriage. Any assets that are bought with common funds
are owned in the proportion in which the spouses contributed
to the purchase of the asset.
Spanish Divorce Laws
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Separación de Bienes
Upon dissolution of the marriage it is necessary to determine ownership of assets.
Spanish Divorce Laws
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By Spanish Civil Code (Article 1315) the 'system' of marriage
that applies is determined:
1) By the couple themselves in a formal declaration before a
notary (capitulaciones matrimoniales)
Spanish Divorce Laws
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2) By the local prevailing law enacted by the regional
parliament
3) In the absence of local legislation, by the Spanish Civil
Code
Spanish Divorce Laws
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So, if a married couple did not make a formal declaration
stating a preference for one particular system (typically the
case), we then must analyse any regional laws that may
establish the 'system' of marriage to prevail in that region.
Spanish Divorce Laws
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Marriage Classification in Cataluña
Law 9/1998 states that the classification of a marriage is that
which is agreed between the parties (en capitulos) or in the
absence of such an agreement , ‘separación de bienes’.
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Division of Marital Assets upon a Divorce in Cataluña
The procedure for the division of assets upon the ending of a
marriage that is classified as a ‘separación de bienes ' is
governed by the Spanish Civil Code. For more information go
to: Division of Assets
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Child Custody in Cataluña
Typically, following a divorce any children will be placed in
the custody of one of the parents – almost always their
mother.
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However, another possibility is the shared custody of children
which may be defined as:
‘ the legal situation in which, following a separation or
divorce, both parents have legal custody of the children
equally, in terms of the conditions and rights that are
conferred in this regard.’
Child Custody in Cataluña
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While contemplated in the legislation reforming much of
family law in Spain (Law 15/2005) the concept of joint
custody has yet to really take off in Spain.
However, this may be changing with new laws being
introduced in a number of autonomous communities in Spain
Child Custody in Cataluña
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Cataluña is one of the regions that has introduced changes
to the civil law (Law 25/2010) such that joint custody is
considered preferential, though not by mandatory, when
considering custody issues.
Child Custody in Cataluña
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Divorcing parents must present a ‘parenting plan’ that will
include each parents’ proposal for the custody of the children
as well as their participation in the upbringing and education
of the child.
Child Custody in Cataluña
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However, the language is equivocal and speaks of joint
responsibility that “as far as possible must be exercised
jointly”.
While the judge may award joint custody if there is no
agreement to this end or little evidence that it currently exists,
an award of single parent custody can still be awarded.
Child Custody in Cataluña
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In the absence of regional laws determining such matters,
the Civil Code governs when considering issues related to
divorce and separation such as inheritances and common
liability for personal bankruptcy of one of the spouses.
Other Important Aspects of Divorce Law
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Other State laws also have a national reach and accordingly
may need to be taken into account in Cataluña depending on
the particular situation.
For example, visitation rights of grandparents and also
relevant to many is the family law applicable when a couple
are not married.
Other Important Aspects of Divorce Law
For details of the services available from local
English-speaking family law experts in Cataluña,
go to:
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Family Lawyers in Cataluña