Recognition of Debt Obligations as Joint Obligations of Spouses: A Case Law Analysis

The paper is devoted to the issues related to the recognition of a debt obligation issued in the name of one of the spouses during their marriage as a joint obligation of the spouses. The author’s study is based on the materials of the generalized case law showing the heterogeneity of the application of Para 2 of Art. 45 of the Family Code of the Russian Federation. The author critically analyzes the approaches developed by judicial practice when deciding the issue of recognition of the debt as joint. In particular, the author investigates acquisition at the expense of credit (borrowed) money of the joint property of the spouses. The author describes disadvantages of the extension by courts of the presumption of spouses’ joint property to debt obligations. It is substantiated that courts must take into account the evidence of obtaining the consent of the spouse and evidence of spending credit (borrowed) money for the needs of the family. The conclusion is made about the need to form legal mechanisms that promote uniform application of Para 2 of Article 45 of the Family Code of the Russian Federation.

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