Lesson 8 - FL PDF

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LESSON 8 CONSEQUENCES OF SEPARATION AND DIVORCE (II): PROPERTY AND FINANCIAL PROVISION: 1. THE REALITY: SOME Source: INE (2014), published Sept. 2015. of separation divorces which took place in 2014 corresponded to marriages with minor or dependent children. In the of theses cases child support was ...

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LESSON&8&–&CONSEQUENCES&OF&SEPARATION&AND&DIVORCE&(II):&PROPERTY& AND&FINANCIAL&PROVISION:& & 1.&THE&REALITY:&SOME&DATA…& Source:(INE((2014),(published(Sept.(2015.( • 57,4%(of(separation(–(divorces(which(took(place(in(2014(corresponded(to(marriages&with& minor&or&dependent&children.& • In(the(57,8%(of(theses(cases(child&support&was(established:( o 78,3%(à(debtor&=&father&(81,5%(in(2013).( o 4,6%(à(debtor(=(mother((4,8%(in(2013).( o 17,1%(à(debtor(=(both(parents((13,7%(in(2013).( • 10%& of& decisions& on( divorce,( separation( or( nullity( implied( a( compensatory& payment& to( one(spouse.(à(In(the(92,2%(of(these(cases,&debtor&is&still&the&husband.&( ( 2.&CHILD&MAINTENANCE:&& The( most( important( patrimonial( effect( following( divorce( or( separation( (if( the( couple( has( common( children)( is( child& maintenance.( Parties( are( free( to( decide( what( they( see( fit( (private( autonomy),(as(long(as(it(is(consistent(with(the(child’s(best(interest,(both(for(the(ordinary(needs( -food,( education,(extra( scholar(activities...( –(and( the(extraordinary( ones(-medical(treatments,( school( holidays...( However,( if( parents( don’t( reach( an( agreement,( the( judge( will( provide( a( solution. When( there( is( no( agreement( or( it( has( to( be( modified,( the( rule( is( that,( as( long( as( possible,( parents( will( contribute( proportionally( to( the( basic( needs( (ordinary& needs).( In( the( case( of( extraordinary&needs,(the(rule(will(be(that(the(expenses(will(be(shared(50%. Sec.&233-2&CCC:& “2.$ If$ the$ spouses$ have$ common% children% under% their% parental% powers,% the$ regulatory$ agreement$must$establish:$ b)$ The$ support% which$ has$ to$ be$ provided,$ in$ relation$ to$ both$ ordinary% and% extraordinary% needs,% indicating$ their$ periodicity,$ means$ of$ payment,$ criteria$ for$ updating,$and,$if$so$agreed,$the$guarantees.$ 4.$[…]$The$spouses$may$also$lay$down$ in$the$regulatory$agreement$the$ support$duties$that$ they$ assume$ towards$ their$ children% of% full% age% or% emancipated% not% possessing% own% financial%resources”.%% & 2.1&Means&of&support&provision:& -Provision(of(personal&care&to(the(child:(establishing(who(will(take(care(of(the(child.( -Provision(of( housing& to( the(child:( Establishing( how( the( housing( needs( will( be( met((sec.( 23320.1):(( ARTICLE&233-20.&AWARD&OR&DISTRIBUTION&OF&THE&USE&OF&THE&FAMILY&DWELLING:&& 1.(The(spouses(may(agree(to(award(the(use(of(the(family(dwelling(with(its(household(items(to(one(of(them,(as(a( settlement,(to(the(extent(necessary,(for(the(maintenance(of(the(common(children(living(with(the(beneficiary(of( the(use(or(for(the(compensatory(payment(to(said(beneficiary.(The(spouses(may(also(agree(to(distribute(the(use( of(the(dwelling(into(specific(periods.(

-Financial& provision:& covering( both& ordinary& needs( (monthly( allowances)( and( extraordinary( needs.(& ( & & &

2.2&Quantification,&updating&and&guarantees:& -Quantification:&& • Absence( of( official( rates( or( scales( and( determination( of( the( amount( according( to( the( financial( capacity( of(the( parents(and( the(allocation(of( the(child( custody.( à( there(are( no( official(rates(or(scales;(what(has(to(be(done(is(the(determination(of(the(amount(according( to( the( financial( capacity( of( the( parents( and( the( allocation( of( the( child( custody( always( following(a(rule(of(proportionality.(( • Incidence( of( joint( custody( in( the( determination( of( the( amount( of( support:( since( both( parents(will(have(the(children(the(same(amount( of(time,(one(parent(will(not(have(to(pay( for( the(ordinary( needs(of(the(children.( In(this( case,( the(problems( for(ordinary( needs( will( be(solved.(( o 3.$ The$ form$ of$ exercise$ of$ custody$ does$ not$ alter$ the$ content$ of$ the$ maintenance$ obligations$towards$common$ children,$but$ account$must$ be$ taken$of$ the$ time$spent$ by$the$minors$with$each$parent$and$of$the$expenses$directly$paid$by$each$parent.$ -Review&of(the(amount:(( • The(setting(of(indices(for(periodical(updating((usually(CPI).(Can(this(amount(be(modified?( Yes,(it(can(and(must(be(modified,(as(the(needs(of(the(children(can(vary.( • Incidence(of(the(increase(of(the(debtor’s(family(needs:(if(the(debtor(has(a(new(family(and( thus( there( is(an( increase( of(the(debtor’s( family(needs,( he/she(will(be(able( to(apply( for(a( reduction(of(the(payments.(( -Guarantees&of(payment.(( 3.&CHILD&MAINTENANCE&AND&SHARED&CUSTODY:& The(duty(of(support(exists(regardless&the&custody®ime&but(it(must(be(taken(into(account:( • Time(effectively(spent(with(each(parent.( • Expenses(assumed(by(each(parent.( The(establishment(of(a(shared&custody& regime(does(not(avoid(that(parents(contribute(to(child( maintenance(with(different(amounts,(if(their(economical(capacities(are(different,(although(the( time(devoted(to(children(is(exactly(the(same((SCJ(Cat.(5(Set.(2008,(1(Jul.(2013,(28(Nov.(2013).(( ( 4.&SPOUSAL&COMPENSATORY&PAYMENTS:& Sec.& 233-14&CCC:( “The(spouse(whose(economic(situation(has(suffered(the(most(as(a(result(of(the(breakdown(of( the( marital( life( is( entitled( […]( to(claim( a( compensatory( payment( not(exceeding( neither( the(living( standard( which( he/she(enjoyed(during(the(marriage(nor(the(standard(which(the(debtor(spouse(could(afford(for(him/herself,$taking$ into$consideration$the$duty$to$support$the$children,$which$is$a$priority”.((

The( aim( of( the( compensatory( payments( (pensión$ compensatoria)( is( to( compensate( an( imbalance(caused(by(divorce(or(separation.(( Rationale& of& the& compensation:( Several( functions( can( be( attributed( to( the( payment( of( compensation:( • Continuity&of&marital&support.&& • Compensation&for&losses((damages(already(sustained(&(forgone(expectations).(( • Rehabilitative& function:( It( is( aimed( to( help( the( weak( party( after( divorce( to( access( the( (labor(market(or(social(life(as(the(situation(they(enjoyed(during(the(marriage,(taking( (into( account(that(the(divorce(changes(the(dynamic(of(every(family.( It(is(not(clear(which(is(the(main(objective(of(this( compensation.(Nowadays,(the(heterogeneity( of(the(relevant(criteria((it(will(be(exposed(below)(and(their(being(framed(as(an(open-ended(list( does(not(allow(to(ascertain(which(function/s(the(compensatory(payment(prevailingly(fulfills.(( & &

COMPENSATORY&PAYMENT:& COMPENSATION&FOR&HOUSEHOLD&WORK:& It(will(only(be(necessary(to(prove(that(there(is( It(will( be(necessary( to(prove( that(one(spouse( an( imbalance( as( a( consequence( of( the( has(worked(substantially(more(for(the(house,( divorce.( the( children( or( has( worked( for( the( other( spouse(without(consideration.( Under(any(matrimonial(property(regime.( Under(a(separation(of(property(regime.( Looks( to( the( near( future( (having( a( better( Looks( to( the( past( (having( helped( the( other( position)( party,(taking(care(of(the(children,(house…).(( ( 4.1&The&relevant&criteria&to&award&or&deny&compensation:& Sec.&233-15&CCC&DETERMINATION&OF&THE&COMPENSATORY&PAYMENT&((similar(to(sec.(97(CC):& The$judicial$authority,$for$the$purpose$of$determining$the$amount$and$duration$of$the$compensatory$payment,$ should$assess$in$particular:$ a)$The$financial$situation$of$the$spouses,$taking$account,$where$applicable,$of$the$financial$compensation$by$ reason$of$work$or$of$the$awards$expected$as$a$result$of$the$liquidation$of$the$matrimonial$property$regime.$ b)$ The$ performance$ of$ family$ tasks$ and$ the$ taking$ of$ other$ decisions$ in$ the$ interest$ of$ the$ family$ during$ cohabitation,$if$this$reduced$the$ability$of$the$spouse$to$earn$income.$ c)$The$ foreseeable$financial$ perspectives$of$ the$spouses,$ taking$account$ of$their$ age$and$ health$conditions$ and$the$manner$in$which$the$custody$of$the$common$children$is$awarded.$ d)$The$duration$of$cohabitation.$ e)$The$new$family$expenses$of$the$debtor,$where$applicable.$

The( judicial( authority,( for( the( purpose( of( determining( the( amount( and( duration( of( the( compensatory(payment,(should(take(into(account,(particularly,(the(following(issues:( • Financial& position( of( the( spouses( (taking( into( account( awards( from( the( dissolution( and( liquidation(of(the(property(regime).( • The(undertaking(of(family&tasks&and(the(decisions(adopted(in(the(interest(of(the(family,(if( it( reduced( the( earning( capacity( of( the( spouse.( (In( order( to( give( a( lower( or( higher( compensatory(payment,(not(to(establish(it).(( • Foreseeable( economic& prospects,& considering( the( age& and( health& conditions( of( the( spouse.( • Duration(of(the(time&living&together:&e.g.:(in(young(divorces,(there(won’t(be(a(significantly( relevant( marriage( residual( (shared(things(to( split( etc.).(In( these(cases,(is( more( likely(that( the(judge(establishes(a(lump(sum(in(order(to(achieve(a(clean(break.(( • New&family&expenses&of(the(debtor(spouse,( ( 4.2&Payment:&& ARTICLE&233-17.&FORM&OF&PAYMENT:&& à(1.(The(compensatory(payment(can(be(awarded(in(the(form(of(a(lump&sum,(whether(in(assets(or(in(money,(or( as(an(allowance.(In(case(of(disagreement,(the(judicial(authority(must(issue(a(decision(on(the(form(of(payment( according(to(the(circumstances(of(the(case(and,(especially,(the(composition(of(the(assets(and(financial(resources( of(the(debtor(spouse.( 2.( When( payment(is( awarded( in( the(form( of( a( lump(sum,( the( judicial(authority,( at( the(request( of( the(debtor( spouse,(may(defer(payment(or(order(it(to(be(made(in(instalments,(with(a(maximum(maturity(of(three(years(and( accrual(of(legal(interest(from(the(date(of(its(admission.( 3.( When( payment( is( awarded( in( the( form( of( an( allowance,( it( must( be( paid( in( money( in( monthly( advanced( instalments.(At(the(request(of(a(party,(guarantees(may(be(constituted(and(objective(criteria(may(be(provided(for( regarding(the(automatic(adjustment(of(the(allowance.( à(4.(Compensatory(payment(in(the(form(of(an&allowance&is&awarded&for&a&limited&period,&unless&exceptional& circumstances&justify&the&award&of&an&indefinite&allowance.&

& & & &

4.2.1&Modalities:&& Temporary&allowance:((As( long( as( it( is( possible( (if( the( debtor( has( financial( capacity),( the( payment&will(be(made(with&assets&or&through(a&lump-sum& (and(having(thus(a(“clean(break”).( However,(in(most(of(the(cases,(as(the(debtor(has(not(enough(money(to(give(this(lump(sum,(the( payment(can(be(made(as(an(allowance(for(a(period(of(time.( Permanent& allowance:((exception!)( à(SCJ(Cat.(14(Febr.(2013,(27(Nov.(2014,(9( Apr.(2015(and( 17(Dec.(2015.(à(Exceptionally,(it(can(be(paid(in(an(indefinite(period((life(time).( Payment&with&assets&or&a&lump-sum.&& If( a( compensatory( payment( is( claimed( by( cohabitants( (not( by( spouses),( these( will( always( be( subjected(to(a(temporary(limit((maximum(of(3(years).(However,(if(they(have(common(children,( this(compensation(can(be(given(until(the(child(becomes(adult.( à(The(law(aims(at(promoting(the(“clean&break”:(I(prefer(to(pay(the(compensatory(payment(in( a(lump(sum,(if(I(have(to(pay(it(à(the(compensatory(payment(is(received(as(a(whole(in(a(unique( way( so( I( forget( about( you( forever.( This( usually( only( happens( when( the( couple( is( wealthy.( If( there( are( children( involved,( this( shall( not( be( the( applicable( solution,( and( monthly( payments( are(set(then.( & 4.3&Modification&and&extinction:&& ARTICLE&233-18.&MODIFICATION&OF&THE&COMPENSATORY&PAYMENT:&ß ß && 1.$The$compensatory$payment$awarded$in$the$form$of$an$allowance$may%only%be%modified%to%reduce%its%amount$ if$the$financial$situation$of$the$beneficiary$improves$or$if$the$financial$situation$of$the$debtor$worsens.$ 2.$ To$ determine$ the$ financial$ capacity$ of$ the$ debtor,$ account$ must$ be$ taken$ of$ his$ new$ family$ expenses$ and$ preference$must$be$given$to$the$right$of$all$his$children$to$maintenance.$

ARTICLE&233-19.&TERMINATION&OF&THE&RIGHT&TO&COMPENSATORY&PAYMENT:&ß ß && 1.$ The$ right$ to$ compensatory$ payment$ awarded$ in$ the$ form$ of$ an$ allowance$ terminates$ on$ the$ following$ grounds:$ a)$Improvement$of$the$financial$situation$of$the$creditor,$if$this$improvement$ceases$to$justify$the$payment,$ or$worsening$of$the$financial$situation$of$the$obligor,$if$this$worsening$justifies$the$termination$of$the$right.$ à $SCJ$Cat.$28$Jul.$2014.$$ b)$Marriage$of$the$creditor$or$his$marital$cohabitation$with$another$person.$ c)$Death$of$the$creditor.$ d)$Expiry$of$the$period$for$which$it$was$established.$ 2.$The$right$to$compensatory$payment$awarded$in$the$form$of$an$allowance$is$not$terminated$by$the$death$of$ the$ obligor,$ but$ the$ creditor$ or$ the$ debtor's$ heirs$ may$ apply$ for$ replacement$ by$ the$ payment$ of$ a$ lump$ sum,$ taking$into$account$the$amount$and,$where$applicable,$the$duration$of$the$allowance,$and$also$the$liquid$assets$ inherited$upon$the$death$of$the$debtor.$

à &Same&grounds&in&case&of&use&of&the&family&home&(art.&233-24&CCC).&& & 5.&AWARD&OR&DISTRIBUTION&OF&THE&USE&OF&THE&FAMILY&HOME:&& Functions&(sec.&233-20.1):& • Performance(of(the(duty(to(provide(child&support.(à(child’s(best(interest.(( • Performance(of(the(duty(to(make&a&compensatory&payment&to&the&spouse:(it(means(that( the(judge,(taking(into(account(when(fixing(the(child’s(amount,(that(part(of(these(remedies( are(paid(taking(into(account(the(house.(( Grounds&(sec.&233-20.2):& • Spousal(agreement(approved(by(the(judge.( • Judicial(decision.(( &

&

ARTICLE&233-20.&AWARD&OR&DISTRIBUTION&OF&THE&USE&OF&THE&FAMILY&DWELLING& 1.$The$spouses$may$agree$to$award$the$use$of$the$family$dwelling$with$its$household$items$to$one$of$them,$as$a$ settlement,$to$the$extent$necessary,$for$the$maintenance$of$the$ common$children$living$with$the$beneficiary$of$ the$use$or$for$the$compensatory$payment$to$said$beneficiary.$The$spouses$may$also$agree$to$distribute$the$use$of$ the$dwelling$into$specific$periods.$ 2.$ If$ there$ is$ no$ agreement$ or$ if$ it$ is$ not$ approved,$ the$ judicial$ authority$ must$ award$ the$ use$ of$ the$ family$ dwelling,$preferably,$to$the$parent$having$custody$of$the$common$children$while$custody$lasts.&

& 5.1&Criteria&for&the&award&of&the&use&of&the&family&home:&$ Sec.&233-20.3&&&4:&& 3.$ Notwithstanding$ the$ provisions$ of$ paragraph$ 2,$ the$ judicial$ authority$ must$ award$ the$ use$ of$ the$ family$ dwelling$to$the$spouse$most$in$need$in$the$following$cases:$ a)$When$the$custody$of$the$children$is$shared$or$distributed$between$the$parents.$ b)$When$the$spouses$have$no$children$or$when$these$are$adults.$ c)$ Where,$ although$ the$ use$ of$ the$ dwelling$ is$ awarded$ by$ reason$ of$ the$ custody$ of$ the$ children,$ it$ is$ foreseeable$that$the$need$of$the$spouse$shall$continue$once$the$children$have$attained$majority.$ 4.$ Exceptionally,$ even$ where$ there$ are$ minor$ children,$ the$ judicial$ authority$ may$ award$ the$ use$ of$ the$ family$ dwelling$ to$ the$ non-$ custodial$ spouse$ if$ such$ spouse$ is$ most$ in$ needs$ and$ the$ custodial$ spouse$ has$ sufficient$ resources$to$meet$his$housing$needs$and$those$of$the$children.$

-Conferred(on(account( of(the(child’s& custody:(preferential(award(to( the(custodial(parent:( the( first(thing(that(has(to(be(protected(is(the(child’s(best(interest.(In(this(cases,(the(spouse(who(has( the( custody(of( the(child(will( have(the( family( home.(Thus,(there(is( a(preferential( award( to(the( custodial(parent.(( -How(ever,( it(can( also(be( awarded(taking( into(account( the(party( which( has(greater(needs.(à( Conferred(on(account(of(a(superior&need&of&one&of&the&spouses&in(the(following(cases:( • Shared(custody(cases((e.g.(custody(has(been(distributed(between(the(parents(or(awarded( jointly).( • There(are(no(children(or(children(have(already(come(of(age.( • The(use(could(be(conferred(on(account(of(custody,(but(the(superior(need(of(the(custodial( parent(will(most(likely(persist(after(its(extinction.( • Although( custody( has( been( conferred( to( the( other( spouse,( the( custodial( parent( has( sufficient(means(to(provide(for(his(own(needs(and(the(children’s(needs((as(an(exception).(( ( 5.2&Duration&of&the&award:&& -Conferred(on(account(of(custody&à(As&long&as&custody&lasts.( -Conferred(on(account(of(a(superior&need&of(one(of(the(spouses:( • For&a&period&specified&in&advance.& • The( specified( period( can( be( judicially( extended,( also( temporarily,( if( the( original( circumstances(persist.(( ( 5.3&Exclusion&and&limitations:&& The(judge(may(exclude(the(award(of(the(use(of(the(family(home((sec.&233-21.1&CCC):( • If(the(beneficiary&has&means&which(are(sufficient(to(cover(his/her(need(for(a(dwelling(and( the( need( of( the( children.(à(If( the( creditor( has( enough( money( to( access( another( house,( the( judge( has( to( take( this( into( account.( This(will(be( the(best( remedy(to( try( to( avoid(the( other(party(to(cede(a(house(that(is(its(own(property.(( • If( the( spouse& who& should& cede& the& use& may& assume& the& payment& of& allowanced& in( an( amount(sufficient(to(meet(the(need(for(a(dwelling(of(the(spouse(and(the(children.(( Family(home(owned(by(third(parties((e.g,(parents(in(law):( • The(effects(of(the(award(will(be(conditioned(by(the(title’s(content.( • If(the(dwelling(is(possessed(by(mere(tolerance(of(the(owner,(the(use(will(be(extinguished( as(soon(as(the(owner(claims(its(restitution.(( &

ARTICLE&233-21.&EXCLUSION&OF&AND&LIMITS&TO&THE&AWARD&OF&THE&USE&OF&THE&DWELLING& 1.$The$judicial$authority,$at$the$request$of$either$spouse,$may$exclude$the$award$of$the$use$of$the$family$dwelling$ in$any$of$the$following$cases:$ a)$When$ the$spouse$ who$would$be$ the$beneficiary$of$ the$use$by$ reason$of$ the$custody$of$ the$children$has$ sufficient$resources$to$meet$his$housing$needs$and$those$of$the$children.$ b)$ When$ the$ spouse$ who$ should$ transfer$ the$ use$ can$ meet$ with$ sufficient$ guarantee$ his$ obligations$ regarding$ child$ maintenance$ and,$ where$ appropriate,$ the$ compensatory$ payment$ awarded$ to$ the$ other$ spouse,$the$amount$of$which$should$cover$the$housing$needs$of$the$latter.$$ 2.$When$the$spouses$hold$the$dwelling$under$a$title$other$than$ownership,$the$effects$of$the$judicial$award$of$the$ use$of$the$dwelling$are$limited$by$the$provisions$of$the$title$of$ownership,$in$accordance$with$the$law.$When$the$ spouses$hold$the$family$dwelling$on$sufferance$of$a$third,$the$judicial$decision$awarding$the$use$of$the$dwelling$ ceases$to$produce$effects$when$return$of$the$dwelling$is$claimed.$In$this$case,$in$accordance$with$the$provisions$ of$Article$233-7.2,$the$judgment$may$order$the$adjustment$of$the$relevant$obligations$regarding$maintenance$or$ compensatory$payment.$

( 5.4&The&award&of&the&use&of&the&family&home&in&cohabitation&cases&(sec.&234-8&CCC):& -The(cohabitants(may(reach(agreements&concerning(the(use(of(the(family(dwelling.( -In( the( absence( of( agreement,( the( judge( may( award( the( use( of( the( family( dwelling( only& on( account( of( child& custody& (therefore,( its( use( ends( when( custody( ends,( never( by( means( of( a( need(of(one(party).( So(the(award(will(be(set(as(established(in(the(following(scheme:(( • First(of(all,(to(the(custodial&parent.( • If(the(custody(has(been(distributed(between(the(parents(or(awarded(jointly,(to(the(parent& with&a&superior&need.( • If(there(are(not(children(or(they(are(above(18,(the(cohabitant(will(not(have(any(right(over( it((even(if(he(/(she(is(in(need).(( & ARTICLE&234-8.&AWARD&OR&DISTRIBUTION&OF&USE&OF&THE&FAMILY&DWELLING& 1.$ The$ stable$ partners$ may$ agree$ to$ award$ the$ use$ of$ the$ family$ dwelling$ with$ its$ household$ items$ to$ one$ of$ them,$ as$ a$ settlement,$ to$ the$ extent$ necessary,$ for$ the$ maintenance$ of$ the$ common$ children$ living$ with$ the$ beneficiary$of$the$use$or,$where$appropriate,$for$the$compensatory$payment$to$said$beneficiary.$ 2.$ If$ there$ is$ no$ agreement$ or$ if$ this$ is$ not$ approved,$ and$ if$ the$ partners$ have$ common$ children,$ the$ judicial$ authority$ may$ award$ the$ use$ of$ the$ family$ dwelling,$ taking$ account$ of$ the$ circumstances$ of$ the$ case$ and$ according$to$the$following$rules:$ a)$Preferably,$to$the$partner$having$custody$of$the$children$while$custody$lasts.$ b)$If$custody$of$the$children$is$shared$or$distributed$between$both$partners,$to$the$partner$who$most$needs$it.$ 3.$The$award$or$distribution$of$the$use$of$the$dwelling,$if$owned$in$wh...