Many couples, unaware of the implications of being married in community of property, opt to get married without an ante-nuptial contract. It is often only during the course of the marriage that couples become aware of the shortcomings of a community of property marriage.

Thankfully, our law makes provision for couples to alter their marriage contract after the date of marriage, although the process can be lengthy and expensive. However, it is important for couples married in community of property to know that there is an option available to amend their marital contract if they choose to do so. In this article, we explore the process of changing your marriage contract and the implications it has for your financial planning.

If you are currently married in community of property, you are no doubt aware that you and your spouse did not sign an ante-nuptial contract before getting married. This means that you and your partner jointly own a common estate in equal, undivided shares where all your assets, subject to a few exceptions, are merged into one communal estate. Marriage in community of property is a deeply flawed system especially when it comes to debt, insolvency or divorce, and some couples who recognise these shortcomings opt to change their marriage contract in accordance with the procedure set out in Section 21(1) of the Matrimonial Property Act.

In terms of this legislation, a couple is able to make an application to the High Court for leave to sign a Notarial Contract which, after the Postnuptial Contract has been registered at the Deeds Office, will have the effect of an ante-nuptial contract which will regulate your new matrimonial property regime. In pursuing such an application, it is important to note that both spouses must bring the application and must consent to have their marriage contract amended. One spouse cannot bring such an application without the other spouse’s consent and participation as the Postnuptial Contract will need to be signed by both parties.

When making an application to the courts, you and your spouse will need to set out sufficient reason for making the change. Further, you will need to satisfy the court that neither of you is insolvent nor has any judgement against you. Further, the court must be satisfied that no other person will be prejudiced by the change. Remember, a change to your marriage contract affects the rights of creditors in respect of debt and/or insolvency, and the courts will need to ensure that your creditors’ rights are protected.

In a community of property marriage, you and your spouse are jointly liable for each other’s debts, including the debt that you each incurred before marriage. Also, because you share a joint estate, bear in mind that your spouse has the capacity to bind the joint estate through their actions. While you are married in community of property, you and your spouse remain jointly and severally liable for all debts in the estate, and creditors can pursue the joint estate to recover what is owing to them. If you change your contract to an out of community marriage, this will no longer be the case.

To ensure that your creditors are notified of your intention to amend your marriage contract, you will be required to publish a notice to creditors in two local newspapers (one English and one Afrikaans) as well as in a government gazette, and these notices must be published at least 14 days before your application is set to be heard. You will also need to send notices to your respective creditors via registered mail. Because of this requirement, the process can take up to three months to complete.

In preparing for the High Court application, you and your spouse will need to prepare certified copies of your ID documents, marriage certificate, proof of address and income tax numbers. You will also need to provide information pertaining to your minor children, assets and liabilities, employment, as well as a full list of all existing creditors.

As this process requires an application to the High Court, be aware that it can cost between R15 000 and R30 000 in legal fees, depending on the complexity of the matter, keeping in mind that when drawing up your Postnuptial Contract, you and your spouse will need to agree on a division of assets. For instance, if you and your spouse own fixed property, you will need to have the title deeds of the property endorsed in terms of Section 45bis. Further, it is important that both you and your spouse fully understand what it means to be married out of community of property and how it will affect your finances going forward, especially if your marriage were to dissolve due to death or divorce.

In an out of community of property, you and your spouse each have separate estates and it will therefore be necessary for each of you to have an estate plan prepared accordingly. Further, you will need to each update your wills on account of your new marital regime. While you were married in community of property, 50% of the joint estate was yours to bequeath as you see fit. Now that your estates are separate, you are free to bequeath 100% of all assets registered in your name although keep in mind that your spouse may have an accrual claim against your estate in the event of death or divorce to the extent that your share of the accrual exceeds theirs. Also worth noting is that, in an out of community marriage, any debt incurred by you is separate from that of your spouse and vice versa and, as such, you are each responsible for maintaining your own credit records.

Although you will now have separate as opposed to joint estates, it is still possible to have a joint financial plan and, in fact, this is advisable. Your financial advisor should be in a position to amend your financial plan, including your estate plan, in line with your new marital contract.

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Contact Cape Town Divorce Attorneys

We are  an experienced Cape Town law firm with offices in Johannesburg and Durban as well. We can help you determine the best matrimonial property regime for your circumstances. For more information on any of the issues described in this article, or to discuss your personal situation in complete confidence, contact attorney Simon Dippenaar on 086 099 5146 or email sdippenaar@sdlaw.co.za.

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