Planning a wedding is an exciting time, but there is more to preparing for marriage than meets the eye. Many New Jersey couples take care to plan an amazing wedding and prepare for life together, but few remember or see the necessity of protecting their futures with a prenuptial agreement.
Drafting a prenuptial agreement is not planning for a marriage to fail, nor is it a necessity only for the wealthy. It is a smart, practical step for every couple to ensure the protection of their interests in the event of a divorce. With this simple effort, you can have peace of mind as you move into your new life.
What should be in your prenuptial agreement?
Drafting a prenuptial agreement is not planning for a marriage to fail. It is always beneficial to have a contingency plan, and simply discussing the terms of a prenuptial agreement can help a couple to have important discussions about money issues.
When drafting your prenuptial agreement, it is wise to discuss how each party approaches money and what assets will be brought into the marriage. Some of the questions that need answers include:
- Does either spouse have student loan debt?
- Will either spouse bring other types of debt into the marriage?
- What will happen to retirement savings in the event of a divorce?
- How will the couple share any marital debt if the marriage ends?
- How will the couple divide marital property?
- Will one spouse get spousal support or alimony?
- Will having children change the terms or duration of the agreement?
- Is there a family-owned or small business venture in question?
Prenuptial agreements are more than just legal documents that outline the division of marital property and assets in case of a divorce. It is a powerful tool for protecting personal property rights and may even save time and money in case of a divorce.
Take steps today to protect yourself tomorrow
Protecting yourself is a smart step to take before marriage, no matter your financial standing or income level. If you are planning to be married, you would be wise to work with an experienced attorney to find out if you could benefit from the protections of a prenuptial agreement.
Failure to take the appropriate steps before you get married could lead to complications, stress and costly litigation in the future. With the right help, you can have a prenuptial agreement aligned with your goals and tailored to your needs.