Civil solidarity pact

The civil solidarity pact, referred to as the "PACS" is "a contract concluded between two physical persons who have reached the age of majority, of different or the same gender, for the purposes of organizing their life in common". It was enacted by the law of 15 November 1999. It establishes rights and duties between the co-signatories in terms of material support, housing, inheritance, taxation and social welfare. It does not modify the rules on lawful descent or adoption or on parental authority if one of the co-signatories is already a parent.
The PACS can be dissolved at the request of one or both signatories by declaration to the civil court. It is automatically dissolved by marriage or by the death of one or both signatories.