äktenskapsbalk

äktenskapsbalken, commonly referred to as the Marriage Code, is the Swedish statute that governs marriage and its legal consequences. The code regulates how marriages are formed, the rights and duties of spouses, and how a marriage can be terminated. It also addresses various related matters such as parental responsibility and the financial implications of a marital relationship.

A central purpose of äktenskapsbalken is to establish who may marry and under what conditions. It sets out capacity requirements, the need for consent, and prohibitions on marrying where there is a legal impediment, such as close kinship or existing marriages. Since 2009 Sweden recognizes marriages between two adults regardless of sex, and the code provides the framework for same-sex marriages in the country. The formality of entering into a marriage often involves a ceremony and registration with the appropriate civil authority.

The act also governs the property consequences of marriage. Couples may operate under a default marriage property regime, and they can choose to enter into a prenuptial agreement (äktenskapsförord) to modify or exclude the default rules. In the event of dissolution, whether by divorce or death, the code outlines the procedures for division of property (bodelning), maintenance considerations, and the handling of parental responsibilities.

äktenskapsbalken forms part of Sweden’s family law framework and interacts with other civil matters, including inheritance and child welfare. It provides a contemporary, secular basis for the legal institution of marriage in Sweden.