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Family law and couples

Matrimonial or civil union regimes

Husbands and wives and civil union spouses are equal before the law. Whether a wedding is civil or religious, or whether the spouses enter into a civil union, certain requirements relating to age, capacity, matrimonial status, blood ties, the officiating minister or official and the publication of certain notices must be met. Both married spouses, necessarily a man and a woman, as well as opposite or same-sex civil union spouses, have the same rights and obligations. They owe each other respect, fidelity, succour and assistance. Each spouse retains his or her given names and surnames after marriage or civil union. Both equally share the moral and material responsibility for the family and exercise parental authority together.