Document background
A Pre-Marriage Agreement (contrat de mariage/huwelijkscontract) is essential for couples planning to marry in Belgium who wish to establish a property regime different from the statutory regime of community property. This document becomes particularly crucial for couples with significant assets, business interests, international connections, or complex financial situations. Under Belgian law, the agreement must be concluded before marriage and executed as a notarial deed, requiring registration in the Central Register. It allows couples to choose their preferred matrimonial property regime, protect pre-existing assets, establish rules for future acquisitions, and make provisions for potential dissolution. The agreement must comply with Belgian Civil Code requirements and, where applicable, consider EU regulations for international couples. Recent reforms in Belgian matrimonial property law (2018) have modernized the framework for these agreements, providing greater flexibility while maintaining essential protections.
