What Is a Prenuptial Agreement?

A prenuptial agreement (also referred to as a “premarital agreement”) is a contract that a couple signs before getting married. The contract lays out how assets and debts will be divided in the event of a divorce or death. It can also specify how alimony will be handled during a divorce. If there isn’t a prenuptial agreement in place, these issues will be decided according to the applicable state laws.

The Benefits of a Prenuptial Agreement

Until recently, many people had a negative view of prenuptial agreements, believing that signing one of these contracts would increase the chances of the couple divorcing. On the contrary, prenuptial agreements offer numerous benefits. For example:

• Deciding whether to enter into a prenuptial agreement encourages open and honest communication about financial issues that a couple otherwise may not have discussed.
• Signing a prenuptial agreement reinforces that a couple is marrying for reasons other than financial gain.
• If a couple divorces or one of the spouses dies, having a prenuptial agreement in place can significantly reduce the cost of any resulting litigation.
• If either spouse has children from a previous relationship, a prenuptial agreement can be used to protect the children’s inheritance rights.

Need Help With a Prenuptial Agreement in the Tampa Bay Area?

If you’re interested in drafting a prenuptial agreement, or if your future spouse has presented you with an agreement and you’d like to have an attorney review it before signing, contact the Law Offices of Audrey A. Jefferis, P.A. Our skilled family law attorneys have extensive experience with prenuptial agreements, and we can help ensure that your interests remain protected. We’re open on weekdays from 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m., and we’d be happy to meet with you at our main office in New Port Richey or at our satellite office in Palm Harbor.