A prenuptial agreement (prenup) is a contract signed by both parties before their wedding that details what their property rights and expectations would be if they divorce. These contracts also usually spell out whether or not one spouse will get alimony.
A well-drafted prenup will override both community property and equitable distribution laws, which usually makes the divorce process much faster and cheaper. Likewise, by signing a prenup, you and your soon-to-be spouse can decide on important financial considerations to make in advance, so you’re less likely to fight about them later.
People often wonder whether or not a prenup is necessary, particularly as most people plan on being married to each other for the rest of their lives. The entire purpose of a prenup is to create a business contract detailing what to do in the event a divorce occurs. If you have a business on the line, for example, you might want to consider signing one if you don’t want to pay your spouse half of the value of the business to keep it.
Likewise, if you plan on owning any property in the future, such as a home your family has owned for years, signing a prenup can protect it from potential property division in the future.
If you need to create a prenup, talk to a skilled Dutchess County family law attorney. He or she can help you draw up a prenup that best suits the needs of yourself and your future spouse. Because these contracts require negotiation, it might be necessary for you and your future spouse to hire separate attorneys. Alternatively, you could negotiate a prenup with mediation.
Call the Law Office of Dennis R. Vetrano, Jr., LLC to talk to one of our skilled lawyers about your case today. Our firm has more than 50 years of combined legal experience to offer your case. Let us focus our time, insight, and energy on helping you and your future spouse meet your legal goals.
Contact us at (845) 605-4330 or fill out our online form to schedule a confidential consultation with us today.