Premarital Agreements
Premarital agreements can provide protection of property or assets as well as from assuming pre-existing debt in the event a marriage ends.
Premarital agreements - also known as prenuptial agreements or simply “prenups” - are legal contracts written and agreed to by two people before they are legally married. When filing a premarital agreement with the court, it is always in your best interest to do so with the help of experienced legal counsel.
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The most common reasons for spouses to file premarital agreements have to do with finances. Prenups are designed to ensure that any property an individual brings into a marriage will remain that person’s property in the event that the marriage ends.
Furthermore, the opposite can be true: a premarital agreement can protect a spouse from assuming the premarital debts of the other spouse when they are married.
Although premarital agreements are most commonly associated with wealthy or famous individuals, there are several more modest reasons why every couple might consider a prenup.
- Protect the inheritances of children from previous relationships. If an engaged couple has children from previous marriages or relationships, a premarital agreement can protect the assets that are set aside for those children’s inheritances. Without such an agreement, the surviving spouse ultimately determines who gets which assets.
- Clarify each party’s financial responsibilities and rights. Often, premarital agreements exist to line out each party’s financial rights and responsibilities during the marriage.
- Keep divorce proceedings simple in the future. Although it may seem as if you shouldn’t think of divorce even before you’re married, half of all American married couples will eventually divorce. A prenuptial agreement is a great way to line out things like spousal support, community property, property division, and more.
- Avoid assuming the other person’s debt. If you are concerned about debt that your partner accrued before marriage, or even if you worry about debts that your spouse may accrue during your marriage, a premarital agreement is a great way to protect you from that responsibility.
Premarital agreement laws vary a great deal from one state to the next, and they can even be quite complex when it comes to what they can and can’t do. If you are interested in a prenup, or if you have questions about how a prenup works in your state, contact Harris & McKeown Law Firm today.
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Premarital Agreements
We help prospective spouses draft fair and legally-binding premarital (prenuptial) agreements that are effective upon their marriage date.
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Divorce is the legal dissolution of a marriage by the court. We help our clients navigate their divorce proceedings and ensure they are treated fairly.
Community Property
Community property is any property that is divided equally between you and your spouse when you divorce. We can help you understand what to expect.
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Harris & McKeown Law Firm is also experienced in the nuances of spousal maintenance. We will help you determine if you qualify for support, and if you do, we will ensure you receive a fair amount.
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Child custody and parenting time agreements are important for your children’s wellbeing. We help parents come to amicable agreements when it comes to custody, visitation, and more.
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Child support can be a complicated topic for both parents. We work with our clients to ensure their children receive the support they need to grow and thrive.
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