What you need to know
Q1 Are you responsible for your spouse’s debts?
Each spouse is responsible for their own debt unless the other spouse consented to being bound by such a debt.

Q2What legal issues should a husband and wife consider before venturing into a joint business?

How can each acquire a legally recognizable stake in the business?

How can each have a legally recognsable interest in the business property; both movables like cars and immovables like land?

How shall control and management of business be exercised; for instance, if it’s a company, shall each be a share holder and director with similar rights and authority?

It is recommended that you adopt an equal legal status in the business where you have equal rights and control for each spouse to secure their stake against any eventuality.

Q3We built a house together. He threw me out and married another woman. Whose home is it?
A matrimonial home or family home only arises where a marriage exists! It is possible to maintain a claim under which you would be compensated but it would not be on the basis that it is a matrimonial home.

Q4If lovers build a house together but do not get married, can the woman legally stop him from bringing in a new wife?
An action might be maintained for the recovery of the proved contribution but if he is the sole registered owner of the property, you may not evict him or any other person he chooses to bring in, including a wife.

Q5What if we don’t agree on an investment, but he goes ahead to implement it; can I stop him?
No. Unless the plan involves the use of property or authority you have a stake or right over, or unlawfully prejudices you, each spouse has a right to follow their own plan.