Eemporary Measures Regarding Spouses During Divorce Proceedings Pursuant to Turkish Civil Code Article 169
Efe Can YıldırırPursuant to Article 169 of the TCC, temporary measures offer legal protection and prevent the conflict between parties during proceedings from the filing of a divorce case until finalization of the decision. Despite the divorce case being filed, rights and obligations continue to arise from the marital union, which continues to exist during the judgment process. This study examines these temporary legal protections specific to family law, which provides a temporary order between spouses and simultaneously functions to help spouses reestablish a common life in case the proceedings do not end with divorce. Thus, the right of the spouses to live separately; allocation of the use of the family dwelling; injunctive alimony and measures related to the property relations of the spouses, especially transition to the extraordinary property regime; restrictions on power of disposal; and ordering debtors to pay one of the spouses are analyzed according to Turkish and Swiss doctrine and practice. Notably, the measures are primarily analyzed in terms of substantive law. To reflect the practice appropriately after the examination of the content, determinations have been made in terms of procedural law, especially in light of decisions of the Court of Cassation and by comparison at times with measures of protection of marital union. Measures regulated under Law No. 6284 on the Protection of the Family and Prevention of Violence against Women are excluded from the scope.
TMK M. 169 Uyarınca Boşanma Davası Süresince Eşlere İlişkin Alınan Geçici Önlemler
Efe Can YıldırırTMK m. 169 uyarınca geçici önlemler, boşanma davası açılmasından verilen kararın kesinleşmesine kadar geçen yargılama sürecinde hukuki koruma sağlamayı ve taraflar arasındaki çatışmayı durdurmayı amaçlamaktadır. Nitekim boşanma davası açılmış olsa da yargılama sürecinde mevcudiyetini koruyan evlilik birliğinden hak ve borçlar doğmaya devam etmektedir. Bu çalışma, eşler arasında geçici bir düzen sağlayan ve aynı zamanda yargılamanın boşanmayla sona ermemesi durumunda eşlerin ortak hayatı tekrardan kurmaları bakımından da yardımcı olma işlevini haiz aile hukukuna özgü bu geçici hukuki korumalardan eşlere özgü olanların incelenmesi konu edinmektedir. Bu bağlamda uygulamada ve öğretide öne çıkan eşlerin ayrı yaşama hakkı, aile konutunun kullanımının özgülenmesi, tedbir nafakası ve eşlerin malvarlığı ilişkilerine ilişkin önlemlerden özellikle olağanüstü mal rejimine geçiş, tasarruf yetki kısıtlamaları ve borçlulara eşlerden birine ödemede bulunma emri verme hem Türk hem de İsviçre öğretisi ve uygulaması ışığında irdelenmiştir. Anılan önlemler öncelikle maddi hukuk bakımından incelenmiştir. Nitekim bu geçici önlemler evlilik hukukundan doğan bir maddi hukuk talebine dayanmaktadır. İçerik incelemesinden sonra ise uygulamanın gereği gibi yansıtılması amacıyla usul hukuku bakımından da bu geçici hukuki korumalara ilişkin özellikle yüksek yargı kararları ışığında tespitlerde bulunulmuştur. Bu bağlamda özellikle görevli ve yetkili mahkemenin tespiti, önlem kararının hangi andan itibaren hüküm ifade edeceği, bu korumanın ne zaman sona ereceği ve kararın değiştirilebilmesi için gerçekleşmesi gereken koşulların neler olduğu meseleleri irdelenmiştir. Usul hukukuna ilişkin bölümde özellikle benzer menfaatlere dayansa da esasen ayrı bir amaca hizmet eden evlilik birliğinin korunması önlemleri ile de yer yer karşılaştırmalar yapılmış ve aralarındaki ilişki açıklığa kavuşturulmaya çalışılmıştır. 6284 sayılı Ailenin Korunması ve Kadına Karşı Şiddetin Önlenmesine Dair Kanun’daki düzenlenen önlemler kapsam dışında bırakılmıştır.
Pursuant to Article 169 of the TCC, temporary measures offer legal protection and prevent conflict between parties during proceedings from the filing of a divorce case until the legal effect of the decision.
With the filing of a divorce case, spouses have the right to suspend the joint household. This measure is not based on the decision of the judge, and whether the divorce case is disputed or uncontested is not a decisive factor. Furthermore, the right to live separately exists independently of whether the related case is justified or not. As a rule, the right of spouses to live separately will end with the legal effect of the decision to dismiss the divorce case or the withdrawal of the case.
While evaluating the allocation of the use of the family home, the criterion of fitness for purpose should be considered, regardless of the fault status regarding the ground for divorce. Who owns the property right or limited right in rem on the common residence or who is a party to the debt relationship (e.g., lease agreement) on which the possession is based is insignificant. As the marital union continues to exist throughout the divorce proceedings, all protective provisions regarding the family home shall continue to be effective as long as the relevant immovable maintains that characteristic. If this protection is deemed insufficient in the concrete case, the judge can take any necessary temporary legal protection regarding the immovable property without any obstacles.
The notable criteria for determination of precautionary maintenance are the needs of the spouses and their ability to pay. In the calculation of the amount of the minimum needs (subsistence) of the spouses, both the expenses owing to the suspension of the joint household and continuation of the marital union will be taken into consideration. Pursuant to Article 169 of the TCC, the other of the two main elements for the calculation of cautionary maintenance is the income of the spouses. The concept of income includes both earnings and asset returns (e.g., rents or interest). Pursuant to Article 169 of the TCC, the precautionary maintenance shall be calculated based on the difference between the minimum needs of the spouses—determined within the framework of the principles—and the income of the spouses. Moreover, pursuant to Article 169 of the TCC, when deciding on the precautionary maintenance, who is at fault is not considered in the facts alleged as the ground for divorce.
In Article 169 of the TCC, the legislator mentions the measures regarding management of the property of the spouses among those that the judge can consider ex officio during continuation of the divorce or separation proceedings. Thus, if a spouse, who has the authority to freely use, benefit, and dispose of the assets that he or she owns in accordance with the marital property regime of participation in acquired property, violates the interests of the other spouse while exercising those powers or the obligation to provide information, the transition to separation of property can be decided. However, it is possible only if it complies with the principles of necessity, appropriateness, and proportionality, such as other measures in Article 169 of the TCC. Moreover, the judge can ex officio order restrictions on the power of disposal and payment of debtors of one spouse to the other spouse, which are essentially regulated in the law as measures to protect the marital union. While making such decisions, the characteristics of the fact that a divorce case has been filed should be considered.
The judge can rule ex officio, i.e., without the need for any request, on the temporary legal measures that are necessary during divorce proceedings, i.e., those related to the spouses. During divorce proceedings, the judge can rule on any proportionate temporary measures, if needed. The provisional measures to be taken regarding the spouses during divorce proceedings are subject to a simplified procedure. Pursuant to Article 169 of the TCC, the decision on provisional measures can be rendered at the earliest when the divorce case is filed and can be effective at that time. The temporary measures taken pursuant to Article 169 of the TCC shall be effective until the legal effect of the divorce decision. Moreover, provisional measures pursuant to Article 169 of the TCC, which do not constitute a final judgment, can be amended during the proceedings.