Czech couples are increasingly turning to prenuptial agreements to protect their assets, with 10,764 contracts signed last year – marking nearly a 10% increase from the previous year. These agreements serve as safeguards against potential property disputes during divorce proceedings or debt collection.
According to Radim Neubauer, President of the Czech Chamber of Notaries, this trend represents a significant shift from the early 1990s, when such agreements were viewed with skepticism and only hundreds were signed annually.
The watershed moment came in 2014 with the implementation of the new Civil Code, which substantially enhanced legal certainty for married couples. This legislative change allowed spouses to customize their property arrangements according to their specific needs and preferences.
A key innovation was the introduction of a Registry of Matrimonial Property Arrangements. This system eliminates the need for couples to personally present their agreements to third parties, as interested parties are required to verify the existence of such contracts themselves.
The practical implications are significant, particularly in cases of debt collection. Enforcement officers must check this registry before proceeding with any collection actions, ensuring that assets belonging exclusively to the unindebted spouse are protected.