6. What is meant by "family patrimony"?

7. What happens to the family patrimony when the marriage is dissolved?

8. Why would someone about to be married want to enter into a marriage contract? Discuss as many reasons as you can identify

9. Gerry has been sole proprietor of a garage for the last six years. It is not very successful, and he owes a great deal of money. The business has assets worth about $60,000. Gerry is worried that his creditors may force him into bankruptcy and that as a result he will lose everything.

Gerry is considering changing his marriage regime from Separation of Property to Community of Property. He believes that his wife Elsie, will then own half the garage, and at least that much will be protected from the creditors in case he does go into bankruptcy.

Do you agree that Gerry has a good strategy? Explain why or why not.

10. Ralph knows there is no way he can ever pay off all that he owes, including the bank loan, several credit cards with large balances, department store bills, telephone and hydro bills, etc. He is quite worried that his creditors will seize everything he owns, including his house, and sell it all to raise money to pay his debts.

Ralph's marriage regime is Separation of Property. In the marriage contract, he promised to give to his wife, during the marriage, a gift of $300,000 in real estate. He thinks this would be a good time to transfer the house (which is worth $275,000) from his name to his wife's name, so that the creditors will not be able to seize it.

Will this move protect the house from seizure? Explain your answer