After the legal separation, a wife received an apartment and a “release fee”, and promised not to claim any other real estate, but later filed a lawsuit for division of property. The Supreme Court of Russia dealt with the issue of whether the amount of the “release fee” was jointly acquired property or unjust enrichment for the wife. Firm partner Olesya Petrol drew readers’ attention to certain circumstances of the case:

“The written acknowledgement itself suggests that there is no charity or gift here. Therefore, it is reasonable to place the burden of proof on the wife of the basis for receiving the money, regardless of whether the money is a “release fee” as the husband claimed.”

Full article here.