A prenuptial agreement might not seem like the most romantic gift for your future spouse, but Pasadena matrimonial lawyers agree that you shouldn't walk down the aisle without one.
Once thought of as just for the very wealthy, prenuptial agreements are becoming increasingly common for average couples. A recently released survey of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers found that sixty three percent of divorce lawyers said they've seen an increase in prenuptial agreements during the past three years. A growing number of these requests are being initiated by women, who are taking care of their financial futures by creating a prenup that protects their legal rights in the event of a divorce.
It's well known that a prenup protects the assets each person brings to the marriage, but the agreement serves other functions as well. For example, a prenuptial agreement can protect spouses from being held responsible for any debt brought into the marriage. This is especially important if one party has past student loans or excessive credit card debt.
Prenups can also outline the terms of any alimony or child support that would be received if the marriage ends, although a prenup can't be used to forfeit the right to child support entirely. From the perspective of the bride-to-be, this is perhaps the most important part of the prenuptial agreement. If the couple agrees that it is important for children from the marriage to be raised by a stay-at-home mother, having a prenup that provides for alimony in the event of a divorce compensates the bride for the reduction in her earning capacity caused by her absence from the workforce.
If you're about to walk down the aisle and you're thinking about creating a prenup for you and your future spouse, it's best to avoid online services offering DIY prenups. There are several qualifications that a prenup must meet to hold up in a court of law. If your prenup violates these rules, even unintentionally, it may be thrown out. Consulting an attorney can also help you make sure that the terms of the prenup are truly in your best interests.
How Can We Help?
If you're in need of assistance creating a prenuptial agreement, please call our office at (626) 683-8113 or email us at info@PasadenaLawOffice.com. Our Pasadena matrimonial law firm is eager to help in any way possible.