Family and Inheritance Law
“Irregular Union”: To prove that there was “cohabitation as husband and wife” without marriage being solemnized, it is necessary to show that the parties lived together in the form of marriage and that they are considered as husband and wife by the family and the community (Oromia Family Law Proclamation No. 83/1996, Articles 128, 136 and Cassation File No. 96853 (Vol. 18)). [Cassation File No. 245442]
Property acquired during marriage: Although property jointly acquired during marriage is classified as common property, if substantial additional work or expense was incurred on property acquired by one party before marriage while in marriage, the share of the other party for the expense incurred or improvement made must be recognized and compensation must be paid to them. [Cassation File No. 245464+]
Statute of limitations for inheritance property: When a person who is not an heir is in possession of the inheritance property of the heirs, the claim filed by the heirs to recover the property is barred by a ten-year statute of limitations (Civil Code Articles 1677 (1) and 1845). [Cassation File No. 245667]