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Law, Property, and Marital Dissolution

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  • Simon Clark

Abstract

This paper challenges the view that legal rights are not important in affecting whether people divorce, but it puts as much emphasis on property rights (given, for example, by the law on alimony) as on dissolution rights. The paper sets out two stylised models of marriage and examines the consequences of fuller compensation for economic sacrifices made during marriage. If the dominant economic issue in a marriage is who undertakes household tasks then a law giving fuller compensation makes divorce more likely. If the dominant issue is child custody, divorce is less likely.

Suggested Citation

  • Simon Clark, 1999. "Law, Property, and Marital Dissolution," Edinburgh School of Economics Discussion Paper Series 32, Edinburgh School of Economics, University of Edinburgh.
    • Handle: RePEc:edn:esedps:32
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Keywords

    marriage; divorce; property rights; household production; child custody;
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