1. Objectifs

Intentions :
Provide a framework for evaluating and understanding the decision to sign a prenuptial contract and people’s contractual choices. (p. 97)

2. Méthode

Échantillon/Matériau :
- Archives des contrats de mariage au Québec;
- Contrats prénuptiaux.

Type de traitement des données :
Analyse de contenu

3. Résumé

I examine prenuptial contracting behavior in early-nineteenth-century Quebec to explore property rights within families and the efficacy of marital property laws. Drawing on a transaction cost framework, I examine the decision to sign a contract and couples’ property rights choices. I find, for example, that couples signing contracts tended to choose joint ownership of property when wives were particularly important to the household. These findings illustrate the potential effects of legal institutions on individuals’ behavior (such as the importance of family labor, human capital acquisition, and even mating decisions) and the value of a flexible legal environment. (p. 68)