I picked a venue, I’m designing my wedding dress, selecting flowers, and tasting cakes for the happiest day of my life! Why is my fiance asking me to sign a prenuptial agreement?
That’s what Pheobe said to me tearfully during a recent phone consultation.
I told her much of the stigma surrounding prenups–prenuptial agreements--has to do with the thought that, by signing this agreement before your marriage, you are planning for a divorce. But that is simply not true!
The truth is prenups can actually make a relationship stronger. It forces couples to set goals and create some guidelines for their marriage.
As a divorce attorney, mediator and prenuptial agreement specialist for over 35 years, I can guide you on all the important issues to address in your prenuptial agreement:
1. define separate property - it can be property received both before and after marriage if you so define it, tort settlements, disability income.
2. state whether the increase in value of separate property is separate property or marital property if the marriage ends; put in a specific joint account, a specific number, a specific number of years' worth of property, a specific percentage of property, either or both parties' income during the marriage, and so on. There are statutes that covers these issues in the event the marriage ends, and the agreement allows the couple to "opt out". Define mixed property, real estate ownership and income therefrom.
3. define estate rights: how much of the other's estate does the partner receive upon the death of the spouse if still married and also if no longer
married - what will go in your wills.
4. the possibility of life insurance; health insurance.
5. issues around payment of bills and spending during the marriage and other important items such as religious observance, especially for any
children.
6. spousal support in the event of a dissolution of the marriage - amount, length of time, coverage by life insurance, disability insurance and other items.
7. who remains in the marital residence in the event of a dissolution, and for how long, and if there are children.
8. the possible custody and visitation of any children (always subject to alteration by a court due to public policy) in the event of divorce.
9. endless other issues - re: grandparents, travel - too numerous to mention and unique to every couple.
I tell couples that a prenuptial agreement is a “safety net”. If you marry and remain together
for a lifetime, then your prenuptial agreement will be irrelevant. But, if divorce does take place then the main benefit of a prenuptial agreement
will be it was fairly discussed and decided while you were both still in love.
By agreeing ahead of time and defining your wishes in a prenuptial agreement, you will save money on attorneys, the divorce process will take less time, and will cause you both less trauma.
If you are getting married and thinking about a prenuptial agreement, call me.
As a seasoned divorce attorney with over 35 years of experience, I have drafted thousands of prenuptial agreements. I am creative, can think outside the box, and will provide you with a prenuptial agreement tailored to your specific needs. Don’t be afraid of a prenuptial agreement. If you do eventually divorce, you will be glad you had one!
Lots of couples ask how quickly I can draft a prenuptial agreement. Just give me your wedding date, and I promise to get you down the aisle with your prenuptial agreement in hand!
Call me now to schedule your free consultation.
All our FREE CONSULTATIONS are conveniently conducted virtually to reduce risk.
I hope to hear from you!
Stay healthy and safe!
And to all of you getting married, I send you warm wedding wishes,
Lois
New York divorce attorney Lois Brenner still has some appointments available this week.
Please call to schedule your FREE consultation now.
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Call 212.734.1551