Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/193396 
Year of Publication: 
2019
Series/Report no.: 
IZA Discussion Papers No. 12102
Publisher: 
Institute of Labor Economics (IZA), Bonn
Abstract: 
This paper analyses the effect of extending equitable property division divorce laws to unmarried cohabiting couples in Australia. Using a triple-difference fixed effects approach we show that existing couples are more likely to make relationshipspecific investments after being exposed to laws enabling the equitable redistribution of property in the event of relationship breakdown. In affected couples we find that men increase their employment and women increase time spent on housework. Couples have more children and are more likely to become home owners. These results demonstrate the causal effect of property division laws on relationship-specific investments and inform the ongoing international debate about the appropriate legal treatment of unmarried cohabiting couples.
Subjects: 
cohabitation
divorce
property
division
household behavior
JEL: 
J12
K36
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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