authorization to seize the other’s wages or salaries and to collect, in proportion to the needs of the
household, part of the salary, work product or income of his/her spouse.
Art. 53. - A spouse may not, without the consent of the other, dispose of their right over their family
house or the furniture in the house. The spouse who has not consented to the act can request for its
cancellation.
The invalidity action can be pursued within the year counting from the day when the spouse learned
of the act, but can never be brought more than a year after the matrimonial regime is dissolved.
Art. 54. - If one of the spouses seriously fails to fulfill his/her obligation to contribute to household
expenses and endangers the interests of the family, the court may prescribe all necessary urgent
measures for the protection of these interests. The Court may in particular prohibit the concerned
spouse from disposing of his/her movable or landed property without the consent of the other.
The court may also prohibit the transfer of furniture, except to those specifically for which the court
attributes personal use to either of the spouses.
The duration of the measures provided for in this article cannot, extension included, exceed two
years.
Acts done in violation of the measures taken may be canceled at the request of the spouse. The
nullity action can be pursued by interested spouse within two years from the day when he/she learned
about the act.
Art. 55. - The wife uses the husband's name. The married woman's name is written as follows: "Mrs,
followed by her maiden name and first name, Epse followed by last name of the husband”.
Art. 56. - The domicile of the family is jointly chosen by the spouses.
In case of disagreement, the domicile of the family is fixed by the court with the best interests of the
family in mind.
Art. 57. - Each of the spouses has the right to practise a profession of his/her choice, unless it is
legally established that the practice of this profession is against the interests of the family.
CHAPTER 8
The pecuniary implications of marriage
Section 1 - General provisions
Art. 58. - The matrimonial regime regulates the matters of property in marriage in the relationship
between the spouses and with regard to third parties.
The spouses can enter into any agreement with regard to their property as they deem necessary, as
long as they are not contrary to good morals, public order, or the provisions of this law.
All matrimonial agreements will be drawn up by notarized deed before the celebration of the marriage
and will only take effect from the date of the celebration of the marriage.
Art. 59. - Marriage creates between the spouses either a joint property regime or a separation of
property regime, if the spouses have not settled the pecuniary implications of their marriage though
an agreement.
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