As evidenced by several family law specialists, prenuptials are becoming the norm by society’s standards. Contrary to popular belief, a prenuptial agreement does not indicate that there is a lack of trust between partners, or an anticipated divorce on the horizon. In fact, you shouldn’t even let a premarital request sap the romance out of your proposal. Taking the time to create a plan for property division in the event of divorce is in essence, one of the smartest business plans you’ll ever make, and it can help ensure an amicable split should the unforeseeable occur.
Benefits of Prenuptials
A premarital agreement can benefit any couple that has assets acquired outside of the marriage, regardless of age or money status. If you are marrying later in life, then you should definitely consider signing a prenuptial before saying, “I do.” The agreement will help protect any assets or business acquisitions that you came into possession prior to your marriage, which in turn, will protect you from fighting to keep rightful property in your name during a divorce. Essentially, you will be safe guarding yourself from going through a messy divorce.
What to Include in Your Prenup
While you should always consult a lawyer who has experience in writing a prenup, here are the basic types of issues that you will want to address in your agreement:
- Assets
- Inheritance money
- Businesses and property
- Stocks and bonds
In addition to laying out property and monetary assets, you should also discuss any prior debt that has been incurred to protect both parties from getting stuck making payments on a debt, like school loans, that they were not responsible for.
While there are many do-it-yourself alternatives offered, it’s important to remember that a prenup kit may not be tailored to the state of Texas -your do-it-cheap premarital may be voided because it doesn’t adhere to state law. The best way to insure that your prenuptial agreement will be honored should it become necessary is to contact an experienced Plano family law attorney.
Contrary to the belief of some, a prenuptial agreement can actually save a lot of time, money and anguish down the road should an unplanned divorce occur. Contact a reputable Plano family law attorney for more information.