More than love
Spouses have rights and obligations that continue until the marriage is dissolved. They have equal rights, and all matters of motherhood, fatherhood, children's education and so on are decided on the principle of equality. They also have obligations: to build their family on mutual respect and assistance and to support each other financially.
The housing question
The Family Code regulates property matters and makes resolving disputes less troublesome.
Property acquired during marriage is jointly owned. Property belonging to either spouse before marriage, or received by one spouse during marriage as a gift or inheritance, belongs solely to that spouse.
Health
Unfortunately life is unpredictable and one spouse may end up in hospital. Under the Law on the Fundamentals of Citizens' Health in the Russian Federation, only close relatives—parents, spouses and children—have access to intensive care and health information.
In this situation cohabiting partners are not protected by law and may be refused access to one another’s health information.
Family budget
There are also advantages for the family budget. Both spouses can claim a tax deduction for the same apartment. This also applies to the mortgage interest deduction.
Gifts of real estate, vehicles, shares, ownership interests and fund units between spouses are tax-free, unlike gifts to an unrelated person.
Families can also obtain state-supported loans.