The Future of Family Property in Europe

All of these issues are highly relevant as Europe is at a key stage in its development, with all societies experiencing broadly similar demographic trends and facing the social and legal policy challenges that accompany them. The increase in international mobility and multi-jurisdiction couples poses both increased pressure to provide private international law solutions, and prompts calls for substantive harmonisation. The high divorce rate in many jurisdictions means that matrimonial property and maintenance issues affect more families. Other social changes, such as increased maternal labour market attachment, invite reconsideration of the basis for financial relief between spouses on divorce. All jurisdictions are also experiencing growth in cohabitation and extra-marital births. In short, family structures are becoming more complex. This raises questions concerning the division of property both on separation and on death, where the appropriate priority amongst the diverse range of surviving family members needs to be resolved. Moreover, as fertility rates decline and populations age, increasing numbers of older people require costly personal and medical care, prompting a new set of questions for law and society to resolve.