The Austrian matrimonial property law as applied in the practice of Cracow notary public offices (1918–1939)

Abstract

The article presents the process of applying the Austrian matrimonial property law in Poland based on the example of the interwar notary practice in Krakow. The subject of the analysis are the marital property agreements, which, in accordance with the legal provisions of the time, were mandatory and took the form of a notary deed. Based on the content of those contracts, an attempt was made to answer the question of whether and to what extent the marital property law included in ABGB affected the shape of the matrimonial property relations of the spouses. The analysis focused in particular on the legal functioning of such notions as dowry, hope chest, bride price, dower or contract of inheritance.