Whether it’s a family business, a precious family heirloom, or providing for children from a previous relationship, you have likely acquired assets and made financial commitments before meeting that special someone. Now that you have found the person you want to spend the rest of your life with, you both want to make all the promises associated with marriage, but neither one of you wants to limit your ability to pass on heirlooms, real estate, personal property, and other assets to your respective children, family, and friends. A simple estate plan is not enough to accomplish this. You need a prenuptial agreement.

Signing a prenuptial agreement is not indicative of a lack of trust or commitment. In fact, many prenuptial agreements are effective even if one or both of you pass away during the marriage. A good prenuptial agreement defines the contractual promises beyond the “I do’s”, and allows you to provide for each other on your own terms, respecting the fact that, whether you are in your twenties or your eighties, both you and your betrothed are entering this marriage with some financial history.

A well-written prenuptial agreement will offer each of you complete disclosure and review of the other’s assets and debts. They are highly customizable, and can allow you to accumulate new possessions with, and make genuine gifts to, your new spouse, and even provide for your new spouse after your death if you wish. A prenuptial agreement allows you and your partner to enter your marriage with a full heart, open eyes, and the peace of mind that comes with understanding the financial impact of this exciting next step.

Attorneys Kathrine Lacey and Shawna Bentley have the Family Law experience necessary to help you draft the prenuptial agreement that is right for you. They can also assist with post-nuptial agreements.