Simple Reasons to Think About a Prenup

30 Nov Simple Reasons to Think About a Prenup

A prenuptial agreement, often called a “prenup,” is a contract between two people who plan to marry that determines how property is divided if the marriage ends in divorce or death. A prenuptial agreement is a very powerful document.

A properly written prenup can do many things, including, but not limited to: protect separate property owned before the marriage; divide marital property acquired during the marriage; assign debt from before or during the marriage; award certain property to children; protect family heirlooms; and prohibit the payment of alimony upon divorce.

The common thread among the powers of a prenuptial agreement is protection. A prenuptial agreement can protect your interests and goals that you have going into a marriage and ensure that an unsuccessful marriage does not permanently injure you or your family members.

There are several simple reasons that people may benefit from using a prenuptial agreement. These include, but are not limited to, when a person: owns significant amounts of property; has children from a prior marriage; owns an interest in a business; or is tied to significant debt.

The easiest way to think about whether or not you need a prenup is this: is there something in your life you need to protect?

A prenuptial agreement is a very powerful document for anyone who is contemplating marriage. It may be difficult to have the conversation about a prenuptial agreement with your future spouse; however, if the two of you decide to use a prenuptial agreement, the powers and protections at your disposal are many.

If you or someone you know has questions about prenuptial agreements, or any questions about divorce or child custody, feel free to reach out and speak with a lawyer at our office.