Equality of Spouses in Property Relations: History and Modern Challenges

The article deals with the development of the institution of property relations of spouses in Russia from the perspective of the principle of equality of the spouses within the family. It is noted that since ancient times, the spouses have possessed estate autonomy and have been equal, but the matter of equality were interpreted differently in different epochs. It is concluded that in the Soviet period the spouses equality of property rights underwent certain metamorphoses, namely it appeared not as equal opportunity for spouses to enjoy the estate autonomy (in pre-revolutionary law, marriage did not comprise a commonality of matrimonial property) but as the equal prospects for husband and wife to get the right to property acquired during the marriage (marriage became the basis for the recognition of common property acquired therein). It is noted that, as a result of the "new" "revolutionary" interpretation of this principle, we lost the traditional for Russia understanding of the purpose of marriage, namely creating families where common interests are disclosed not at the expense of the property component, but due to the spiritual one. In frames of improving the family legislation it is proposed to consider an opportunity to return to the historically established in pre-revolutionary Russia interpretation of the principle of equality of the spouses in property relations, namely, the consolidation of the principle of separation of matrimonial property as legal regime of matrimonial assets.

marriage, matrimonial relations, spouses, the rights and duties of the spouses, the principle of equality between spouses, equality of property rights, property of the spouses, the legal property regime, matrimonial property, property of each spouse, property relationships of the spouses, the division of marital property, family arrangement, child support

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