(In)Compatibility of Pre-nuptial Contract and Bonum Coniugum

Ugovorni imovinski sustav pruža bračnim drugovima mogućnost prilagođavanja uređenja imovinskih odnosa prema osobnim potrebama, interesima i sporazumu. Prihvaćeno načelo autonomije volje stranaka priznaje im da svoje odnose urede na način koji im najbolje odgovara, odstupajući u potpunosti ili u određenoj mjeri od zakonskih odredaba. U hrvatsko obiteljsko zakonodavstvo je 1998. godine uvedena mogućnost sklapanja bračnog ugovora. Autori će u prvom dijelu rada objasniti sam pojam bračnog ugovora, predmet i oblik ugovora prema važećem hrvatskom zakonodavstvu uz kratak osvrt na zakonodavstvo nekih europskih zemalja. U drugom dijelu rada bit će riječ o značaju koji bračni ugovori mogu imati na kanonskopravnom području s obzirom na sklapanje kanonske ženidbe, pod specifičnim vidom njegova odnosa, odnosno (ne) spojivosti s bitnim sastavnim dijelom ženidbe – dobrom suprugâ (bonum coniugum).Contractual property system allows spouses to adapt their property affairs according to their personal needs, interests, and agreement. The accepted principle of autonomy of will of both parties acknowledges that they are free to arrange their affairs in a way that suits them best, even if these entirely or partly deviate from legal prescriptions. In 1998 Croatian family legislation introduced the possibility of concluding a nuptial contract. In the first part of this article the authors will explain the concept of nuptial contract, its subject and form according to the current Croatian legislation, as well as provide a short overview of legislation in some other European countries. In the second part of the article, the authors will discuss the significance that nuptial contracts can have in the area of canonical legislation in terms of canonical matrimony and specifically for their (nuptial contracts) relation to or (in)compatibility with the essential parts of matrimony – the good of spouses (bonum coniugum). There is, namely, one obvious contradiction between planning division and separation, on one hand, and total sharing and lifelong devotion in marriage on the other. Concerning the issue of the impact of nuptial contract on the validity of marital consent and especially on the good of spouses, no single answer is forthcoming. Instead, it is necessary to judge the concrete nuptial contract in a specific case while taking into consideration all circumstances: mentality of spouses, quality of their relationship, reasons for making the contract, its purposes, etc. The fact a nuptial contract has been signed is a warning sign to those who are in charge of preparing fiancées and it should not be treated lightly. Furthermore, in the context of legal proceedings for determining whether a matrimony is void, these contracts are a precious sign (proof) of intent and attitude of fiancées during the act of giving consent