Pre-Nuptial and Post-Nuptial Agreements

A pre-nuptial marriage agreement consists of a signed and notarized contract that articulates how a couple will manage their finances during the course of marriage. Pre-nuptial agreements also pertain to the division of marital assets upon divorce. A post-nuptial agreement is similar in scope to a pre-nuptial agreement, but it is executed after a couple has married. Common reasons for executing a post-nuptial agreement include inheritance and dramatic improvement in financial investments.

Marital distrust is often thought to be the basis for pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements. However, there are a variety of innocuous reasons to execute the agreements. In addition to safeguarding individual assets, pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements can ensure the financial well being of children from a previous marriage in the event of divorce. They can also dictate what assets a person wants to give to family members in the event of his or her untimely death.

Pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements are not romantic, but they can bring peace of mind by providing spouses with a financial road map for marriage, ensuring that children from another marriage are provided for in the event of divorce and preventing worry over financial assets if and when the marriage seems headed for divorce.