Prenups can be a good idea, regardless of wealth
A rising number of couples are choosing to sign prenuptial agreements before getting married these days.
The moment a couple decides to get married is an exciting occasion. You will likely start making plans for the future – and particularly for the day you both walk down the aisle right away. It can be easy to get overwhelmed with decisions. What food will you serve? How many people will you invite? Will you get married locally or have a destination wedding?
Among these many decisions, there are some practical considerations you should also discuss with your soon-to-be spouse well before the big day. Whether you have significant assets or not, it may be a good idea to sign a prenuptial agreement before you get married.
No longer just for the extremely wealthy
In the past, prenuptial agreements were typically associated with people who had significant assets. Only the rich or the rich and famous were expected to obtain the contracts before getting married.
These days, a rising number of couples are signing these agreements, whether they have large assets or debt. In fact, a survey of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers found that over 60 percent of the attorneys had noticed a rise in the number of people seeking prenuptial agreements recently.
Prenuptial agreements can be a good way to plan if two people are entering a marriage with significant debt. In some cases, you may not even be fully aware of the other party’s debt until a prenup is signed. By entering into the contract, you will ensure you understand your spouse’s financial situation before you get married.
Of course, a prenup can also be a good tool if one or both parties has significant assets that they wish to protect. Ensuring your property will be distributed fairly should the marriage not work out should ease some concerns before walking down the aisle.
Talk to a family law attorney
If you have recently become engaged and are considering whether a prenuptial agreement is right for you, you should take the time to seriously consider the matter before your wedding day fast approaches. The last thing you want to do is bring up the idea shortly before the big day, only to have your significant other react negatively. In addition, if you push the issue right before you walk down the aisle, the contract could be invalidated.
Consequently, it is a good idea to talk to a family law attorney right away. Seeking the counsel of a skilled lawyer will ensure your interests are represented in the document you sign.