Divorce Alimony: Analysis of the Cassation Ruling No. 21955/2024

The ruling of the Court of Cassation, No. 21955 of August 5, 2024, provides significant insights into the issue of divorce alimony, particularly concerning the necessity of a shared life between spouses. The Court partially upheld the appeal of A.A., reducing the alimony awarded to B.B. from €450.00 to €350.00 per month, raising important questions regarding the evidence and conditions for the granting of alimony.

Context of the Ruling

In this dispute, the Court of Perugia initially recognized a divorce alimony in favor of the wife, despite the brevity of the marriage and the lack of a true shared life. The Court of Appeal subsequently reduced the amount, arguing that the prerequisites for a compensatory alimony did not exist, as there had been no real sharing of married life between the spouses.

The Court established that the duration of the marriage and the lack of cohabitation influence the determination of divorce alimony, highlighting the importance of a shared life.

Relevant Legal Principles

The case falls within the regulatory framework of Article 5 of Law 898/1970, which governs divorce alimony. The Court reiterated that, for divorce alimony to be recognized, there must have been an effective shared life. In this case, the lack of cohabitation and the brevity of the marriage led to a reduction in the alimony. Furthermore, the Court clarified that the wife's failure to seek employment, despite her capabilities, negatively affected her position.

  • Importance of shared life: The ruling emphasizes how the lack of a shared life between spouses can affect the right to alimony.
  • Role of marriage duration: The Court highlighted that short marriages may not justify a high alimony.
  • Burden of proof: It is essential for the requesting spouse to demonstrate their economic and employment situation.

Conclusions

The ruling of Cass. civ. No. 21955/2024 represents an important reflection on the rights and duties of spouses during divorce. It highlights the need to consider various factors, including the duration of the marriage and the actual sharing of life, to establish divorce alimony. The principles expressed by the Court can serve as guidance for future similar cases, clarifying that divorce alimony should not be automatically guaranteed but should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

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