Brussels, 09/11/2012 (Agence Europe) - The Notaries of Europe launched a new project for European couples on 9 November - a website (http://www.coupleseurope.eu ) enabling them to find information on the law governing matrimonial and partnership property rights in all European Union countries in the language of their choice, a press release from the Council of the Notariats of the European Union (CNUE) says. “It provides EU citizens with information on the law in force in the 27 member states and answers legal questions that any couple in Europe might have, all in 21 languages.” The citizens concerned can ask questions, for example, on the consequences of divorce or separation on the matrimonial regime, on the law applicable to a couple's assets, on registered or non-registered partnerships, or on the consequences of death in relation to the matrimonial regime, the CNUE continues.
According to figures from the European Commission, which is co-financing the project, the EU currently has about 16 million international couples. Out of the 2.4 million new marriages that took place in 2007, 13% (310,000) include an international element, and 41,000 of the 211,000 partnerships registered in the EU in 2007 had an international dimension. Many of these international couples possess assets - such as property or bank accounts - in several countries. It is estimated that parallel legal proceedings in different countries, the complexity of matters and the resulting legal fees cost €1.1 million per year, the CNUE states. (SP/transl.fl)