배우자 상속분 확대에 관한 입법론적 연구

In January 2014, the Ministry of Justice announced that it is promoting to revise civil law for increased share of succession for spouse. In last 2006, the revision of civil law was expected to be implemented amid active discussion for this but eventually became abortive due to the public opinion against it because of its alleged side effects. Current share of succession system, which puts importance on separate property owning for the couple, vests ownership merely by the name of property and makes succession procedure immediately without separate settlement procedure for couple’s property, leading to a great disadvantage to women. Current regulation of share of succession, which adds half of co-heir’s share of succession to the surviving spouse, has resulted in decrease of share of succession for the spouse who gave birth to more children and were more devoted to fostering of them; It is very unstable and fluid regulation. Amid continuous increase of average life expectancy, the number of sons and daughters who want to support their parents continues to decrease, deteriorating poverty problem of the old. And increased share of succession for spouse can work as a kind of plan for their later years. These days in the face of aging society, increase or strengthening of share of succession for the surviving spouse in the event of death of the ancestor must be essential requirement in a welfare state. In connection with the government’s recent move for the revision of civil law with a view to increased share of succession for spouse, this article examines necessity of increased share of succession for spouse and grounds of civil law and then proposes reasonable legislation methods for it.