Marriage contract

A marriage contract is a legal document in which you and your intended spouse record various decisions concerning, for example:

• your matrimonial regime, in other words the rules stating how your property, other than the property forming your family patrimony, will be administered during your marriage and divided if you decide to separate;
• gifts, such as the gifts to be given to your spouse or children during your lifetime or after your death;
• your intentions following your death, for example as indicated in a "surviving spouse" clause.

You can sign a marriage contract with your intended spouse before or after you marry. In the latter case, it comes into effect on the day it is signed, rather than on the day of your marriage.

A marriage contract must be notarized. You and your intended spouse must sign it before a notary.

In addition, the notary must register a notice relating to your marriage contract in the register of personal and movable real rights .