The husband is the administrator of the property of the conjugal partnership, except when the contrary is stipulated.
The wife, however, retains ownership of the paraphernal property, which consists of such property as the wife brings to the marriage, not included in the dowry.
The husband is the representative of his wife. The latter cannot, without his permission, appear in a suit in person nor through an attorney.
Nevertheless, she does not require such permission to defend herself in a criminal suit or to proceed against or to defend herself in suits with her husband.
Neither may the wife, without the permission of her husband, acquire property for a good or valuable consideration, alienate her property, or bind herself, except in certain exceptional cases, and within the limitations established by law.
A wife may without her husband’s permission:
1. Execute a will.
2. Exercise the rights and perform the duties which appertain to her with regard to the legitimate and acknowledged natural children she may have had by another, and with relation to the property of the same.
Only the husband and his heirs can enforce the nullity of the acts executed by his wife without proper authorization.
Divorce.—Divorce only produces the suspension of the life in common of the spouses; it does not dissolve the marriage.