Couples with substantial assets or who have significant debt may want to consider a prenuptial agreement. A prenup can help preserve separate property, protect inheritances and clarify financial rights in the event of a divorce.

Many people are hesitant to talk about prenups because they fear that it will damage their relationship. However, discussing this topic in a trusting and healthy way can actually strengthen a marriage.

What is a Prenuptial Agreement?

While some may find prenups offensive or unromantic, they can be a useful tool for anyone who wants to protect their financial interests. The term “prenup” refers to a pre-marital agreement, and it establishes what happens to assets and debts if the couple ever gets a divorce. A prenup can help couples set up trusts, classify assets as separate property not subject to division, waive or limit spousal support obligations, and include other financial provisions a court might consider in a divorce case.

While any couple can create a prenup, the agreements are most commonly used by those with significant wealth or those who have children from previous relationships. They can also be a useful way to ensure that any inheritance is kept within the family.

A prenuptial or antenuptial agreement is a legal contract that becomes effective upon marriage and is enforceable in the state where it was created. It allows a couple to decide what will happen in the event of a dissolution instead of relying on the law in the state where they live. Typically, a prenup will list all of a couple’s assets and outline how those assets would be divided in the event of a divorce. It can also define which assets are considered community property and which are not; stipulate how a court would divide debt; and include a sliding scale of alimony payments that increases with the length of the marriage.

What are the Benefits of Having a Prenuptial Agreement?

A prenuptial agreement gives couples a chance to decide what will happen to their assets and debts when they get divorced or if one spouse passes away. This can prevent a surviving spouse from automatically taking a large portion of a couple’s property and leaves more for the children.

Prenuptial agreements can also specify that certain assets are separate and not subject to division; protect a spouse from liabilities incurred by the other during the marriage; and provide for spousal support, including how much it should be and for how long. They can even spell out what will happen to family heirlooms or property interests that are held in trust.

Some couples are hesitant to broach the topic of a prenup, believing that asking for one will ruin their relationship. However, if approached in the right way, it can be beneficial to both parties. Couples should be honest about their financial situations, expectations, and individual goals. This can help promote open communication, which can reduce conflict and improve trust in the relationship.

Creating a prenup can also encourage discussion about other important topics, such as finances, expectations, and individual goals. Having these discussions can be helpful to a new marriage, as it demonstrates that both parties are willing to communicate about difficult topics and are able to discuss them fairly. This can help create a solid foundation for the relationship and set a positive example for children to follow in the future.

How Can Prenuptial Agreements Help in a Divorce?

A prenup can help clarify financial and property issues in the event of a divorce. It can also prevent a financially vulnerable spouse from becoming a target of a bitter legal battle over property.

In a prenup, a couple can classify certain assets (like investments and 401Ks), professional licenses, inherited properties, and gifts as separate property not subject to division in the event of a divorce. In addition, a prenup can also stipulate how each party will handle marital debt during the marriage. This can help a spouse avoid the pitfalls of excessive credit card debt that often leads to divorce.

The contract can also provide protection for spouses by stating that the lower-earning partner is not responsible for the other spouse’s student loans or medical bills. This is especially helpful if the spouse has been out of the workforce for a long period of time to raise children or pursue higher education.

A prenup can also dictate what will happen to a family home, vacation properties and other physical property in the event of a divorce or death. However, it cannot include provisions relating to child custody or spousal support as these issues are decided by a judge during a divorce. In order for a prenuptial agreement to be enforceable, it must include full disclosure of all assets and debts and both parties must sign the document.

How Can Prenuptial Agreements Help in a Dissolution?

A prenup can catalog each person’s property, assets and debt, and it can specify which assets belong to the marriage and which are separate property. It can also lay out rules for purchasing, selling, transferring, exchanging, managing, leasing or using those assets. It can also outline how different types of property, such as inheritances and gifts, should be handled in a dissolution.

Many couples may choose to draft their own prenups without the help of an attorney, but this can lead to misunderstandings and issues down the line. For example, a prenup that doesn’t address specific legal issues or doesn’t follow state law could be deemed unenforceable by the court.

Couples who are considering a prenup should discuss their individual financial situations openly with each other and should work with an experienced family law attorney to create the document. A prenup can not only provide reassurance to both parties in the event of a divorce but can foster a climate of transparency and trust.

Even young professionals who may have few actual assets but may have the potential to amass significant wealth down the road should consider a prenup. For example, a medical student and her future husband are starting their careers with substantial student loan debt, and they want to make sure they have the ability to support themselves in the event of a breakup.