Opinion ID: 1736742
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Conflict of Laws Provisions

Text: The court of appeal was correct in relying on the Civil Code's Conflict of Laws articles in determining whether the movable property in dispute is community or separate. In 1991, the Legislature adopted Book IV of the Civil Code to assist our courts in resolving claims where different jurisdictions apply different laws. Relevant to our examination is Civil Code article 3523. [T]he rights and obligations of spouses with regard to movables, wherever situated, acquired by either spouse during the marriage are governed by the law of the domicile of the acquiring spouse at the time of acquisition. Id. (emphasis added). Moreover, the comments to article 3523 state: [t]his Article is primarily a rule of classification and functions as a rule of distribution.... For example, if the acquiring spouse was domiciled in this state at the time he acquired the movable, then regardless of its location, this movable will be classified as community or separate property according to the law of this state. Id. (comment (c)) (emphasis added). We, therefore, agree with the court of appeal's application of Louisiana's laws of matrimonial regimes. As such, we find it useful to examine the relevant legal history.