Planning for the Future, Planning for the Unexpected
Premarital and prenuptial agreements refer to agreements signed by a couple before they are married. Postmarital agreements, marital agreements and postmarital partition and exchange agreements are terms used interchangeably, generally referring to agreements made between spouses after marriage.
Both premarital and postmarital agreements are used much more frequently today than they were 20 or 30 years ago. No longer is there a stigma attached to either agreement, as couples are beginning to see the value of planning for the future and for the unexpected.
At Palmer & Manuel, our attorneys work closely with clients to develop both premarital and postmarital agreements that meet their unique needs. To set up a time to meet with one of our family law attorneys, contact us online or call our Dallas, Texas, law firm at 214-242-6444.
Why Get a Prenuptial or Postnuptial Agreement?
Couples choose to get both premarital and postmarital agreements (also called prenuptial agreements and postnuptial agreements) for various reasons. The following are some common situations where a premarital or postmarital agreement would be valuable:
- Second marriages - Common in marriages in which one spouse comes into the relationship with children and substantial assets and wants to be able to control what part of the estate goes to the natural children and what part goes to the new spouse.
- Asset protection - Prenuptial agreements are commonly used as a means to protect the assets an individual has acquired before marriage.
- Financial independence within the marriage - Some couples choose premarital and postmarital agreements to document their preferences for maintaining financial independence. For example, when both spouses earn a sizeable income, a prenuptial agreement can protect each spouse from becoming involved in the other's financial matters.
- Postnuptial agreements and risky business ventures - A postnuptial agreement can be particularly useful when one spouse takes on a high-risk business venture, and the other spouse wants to disassociate him or herself from financial responsibility for its success or failure if the marriage ends.
Timing is Critical
If you are considering a prenuptial agreement, it is important to start the process well in advance of the wedding. Because of the stress and emotions leading up to a wedding, it is very difficult to plan an agreement less than 30 days before a wedding, so we recommend consulting with an attorney as early as possible.
At Palmer & Manuel, we understand the importance of helping clients protect their assets before, during and after marriage. Our attorneys work closely with clients to arrange prenuptial and postnuptial agreements specified to meet their unique needs.
Contact Us
To set up a time to meet with one of our family lawyers, contact us online or call our law firm at 214-242-6444.
