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Practice Of Real EstateState_specificHARD

A testator's will grants his surviving spouse a usufruct over all of his separate property, with his three children as naked owners. The will is silent on the issue of major repairs. The roof of one of the properties fails and requires a $40,000 replacement. The surviving spouse refuses to pay, claiming it is the naked owners' responsibility. Under the Louisiana Civil Code, who is responsible for the cost of this major repair?

Correct Answer

D) The naked owners (the children) alone, because major repairs are the obligation of the naked owner under the Civil Code

Under Louisiana Civil Code Article 577, the naked owner is responsible for extraordinary or major repairs (referred to as 'repairs of extraordinary character'), while the usufructuary is responsible only for ordinary maintenance and repairs (Article 576). A complete roof replacement costing $40,000 qualifies as an extraordinary repair. Therefore, the three children as naked owners bear the cost. The surviving spouse is correct that this is not her financial obligation under the Civil Code's default allocation of repair duties.

Answer Options
A
The usufructuary must advance the cost of major repairs but may seek reimbursement from the naked owners at the termination of the usufruct
B
The usufructuary (surviving spouse) alone, because she has the right to use and enjoy the property and must maintain it
C
The usufructuary and the naked owners share the cost equally because the repair benefits both parties
D
The naked owners (the children) alone, because major repairs are the obligation of the naked owner under the Civil Code

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Related Topics & Key Terms

Key Terms:

usufructnaked_ownershiprepair_obligationsextraordinary_repairscivil_code

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