Reasons to Consider a Prenuptial Agreement

 Posted on December 00, 0000 in Prenuptial Agreement

Nobody likes to anticipate the end of their marriage, especially couples who are planning their wedding or are just about to get married. We all want to believe in true love, in a fairy tale happy ever after ending, and a perfect relationship. Many marriages are successful, but statistics paint a less pretty picture than we would like to imagine. Recent statistics reveal that in the United States, 50 percent of first marriages end in divorce, 67 percent of second marriages end in divorce, and 74 percent of third marriages end in divorce. In the unfortunate case of a divorce, lifelong assets collected by both spouses must be assessed and divided. If you are about to get married, but are concerned about potentially having to divide your assets if the marriage ends badly, a prenuptial agreement can provide you peace of mind. Below are a few major reasons to consider a prenuptial agreement.

They Can Keep Your Assets Separated

If you and your future spouse are planning to keep your assets separated, it is best to put those plans in writing. A prenuptial agreement can ensure that you and your spouse keep your assets separated, and this applies to real estate, inheritances, and investments too.

Inheritance

A prenuptial agreement can detail where each spouse would like their assets to go after they pass away. Without putting these plans in writing, your assets could end up with your ex’s new spouse, rather than with your children. It is always best to detail your inheritance intentions.

Clarifying What Children Get Post Divorce

Couples hoping to avoid post-divorce drama can also detail what the children of their divorce are entitled to. A prenuptial agreement can detail dollar amounts or other assets that each child is set to receive, so there is no confusion or conflict if a divorce does happen. It is important to remember that this only pertains to property and inheritance-type concerns. A prenuptial agreement cannot address your child's right to child support or anything regarding parental responsibilities.

Debts

A prenuptial agreement can also help spouses keep their debts separated. Couples can detail who is responsible for what debt post-divorce, and can list debts that each individual brought with them into the marriage. Both spouses can plan for how to handle credit card debt, home loans, and any student loan debt they may have accumulated.

Considering a Prenuptial Agreement?

At the Law Office of Matthew M. Williams, P.C., we provide a wide variety of family law services including prenuptial and postnuptial agreements. We understand that while there is nothing romantic or pleasant about planning for the end of your marriage, drafting and signing a prenuptial agreement is often necessary, and can help provide both you and your spouse future peace of mind. Call 630-409-8184 today to learn more about how an experienced DuPage county family law attorney can help you.

Sources:

https://www.thestreet.com/story/13519692/2/6-reasons-to-put-aside-sentimentality-and-get-a-prenuptial-agreement.html