Morocco Aims for Comprehensive Family Law Reform
Morocco is preparing a draft law for a comprehensive reform of family law, which includes over 100 changes and is set to be presented to the Parliament for approval. The proposed reforms were unveiled on December 24 by the Ministers of Justice and Islamic Affairs. On December 23, King Mohammed VI presided over a working session on family law reform.
Key changes in the proposed reforms include:
- Women will be able to specify their opposition to polygamy in their marriage contracts.
- In case of divorce, child custody will no longer automatically be granted to the father, but will instead be shared between the two spouses.
- The legal minimum age for marriage will be set at 18, but judges will allow exceptions for individuals as young as 17.
- Women will be able to demand equality in inheritance rights, claiming half of what men inherit, and individuals will have the freedom to leave their assets to any heir they choose.
- A “friendly divorce” will be allowed, enabling spouses to dissolve their marriage through a direct contract without the need for legal proceedings.
- A spouse’s contribution to the household will be recognized in the management of property acquired during the marriage.
These reforms aim to bring about significant changes in women’s rights and family law in Morocco.
