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In France, a husband's repudiation of his wife is:
Model-written, not yet read by a native reader.
Correct answer: Not recognised: it goes against equality between wife and husband. Repudiation goes against equality of spouses, so French courts do not recognise it when the wife lives in France. Wife and husband have the same rights when the marriage ends. Think: equality between spouses.
Sources: Sheet “Cour de cassation, 1re chambre civile, 17 février 2004 (Légifrance)” (French), read on 15 October 2026. Answer written by Hexaciv from this source. Hexaciv is an independent preparation tool. It is not an official website, is not linked to any government body and does not give legal advice. The authoritative source is the Ministry of the Interior's, cited on this page.
The four choices and why
- ✗ Allowed if the husband decides alone and without a witnessPermise si le mari le décide seul et sans témoinA decision by one spouse alone is not recognised: both spouses are equal.
- ✓ Not recognised: it goes against equality between wife and husbandNon reconnue : contraire à l'égalité entre l'épouse et l'épouxCorrect answer. Repudiation goes against equality of spouses, so French courts do not recognise it when the wife lives in France. Wife and husband have the same rights when the marriage ends. Think: equality between spouses.
- ✗ Allowed if the husband pays a sum of money to his wife and childrenPermise si le mari verse une somme d'argent à sa femme et à ses enfantsMoney does not replace equal rights between spouses.
- ✗ Allowed after one year of marriage if the husband asks for itPermise après un an de mariage si le mari le demandeThe Cour de cassation rules that a unilateral repudiation by the husband goes against equality of spouses.
What the source says
« cette décision constatant une répudiation unilatérale du mari sans donner d'effet juridique à l'opposition éventuelle de la femme et en privant l'autorité compétente de tout pouvoir autre que celui d'aménager les conséquences financières de cette rupture du lien matrimonial, est contraire au principe d'égalité des époux lors de la dissolution du mariage »
Sentence copied word for word from the source, in French, read on 15 October 2026.
How it reads on exam day
The exam is in French, so this is the question you will see: « En France, la répudiation de sa femme par le mari est : ». Learn the English idea above and the French words in the options.
This question is on the official list for the resident card (CR). The Ministry's wording: “La répudiation de sa femme est :”.
Where the Ministry explains it
Sheet “Cour de cassation, 1re chambre civile, 17 février 2004 (Légifrance)” (French).
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