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Signing a Daycare Contract
Family Law - November 2023
If you are considering marriage, you have probably heard about a prenup by now. Perhaps you are trying to decide if it is a good choice for you and your future partner.
This means you have questions:
The term is short for “prenuptial agreement.” It can also be called a premarital agreement. If you forget to sign one with your partner before marriage, another kind of contract exists that you can both sign after you’ve tied the knot: a postnuptial agreement.
Whether you decide on a prenup, a postnuptial agreement, or no kind of agreement at all, we want to make sure you are informed about your options as you and your partner prepare to start life as a married couple.
Individuals planning to marry each other sign this contract together. The contract explains the rules that the individuals have agreed upon if their marriage ends. This is usually in the event of divorce, but in some cases, this arrangement can work in the event of a spouse’s death.
This agreement establishes which property each party will receive and the responsibilities that they will have to each other, however the marriage may end.
You may be wondering, “Do I need a prenup?” Nobody wants to assume that their marriage will need a backup plan. But if you look at the stats, close to half of all marriages in the U.S. end in divorce. The reasons for divorce vary drastically, but the result is the same.
When you begin your marriage with a plan for the future, you give your partner and yourself peace of mind that, no matter what, you are both protected. You are basically telling your partner that you love them enough to plan for any eventuality with their best interest at heart.
Now that you have asked a few questions about your future marriage, you may have noticed something. Your marriage, just like any other marriage, is not fail-proof. You can hope for the best, but preparing for the worst is the responsible and loving thing to do with your soon-to-be spouse. Now for the next step: What should this important contract say?
The rules and responsibilities that go into a marriage are almost endless. However, a few basic conditions usually apply to the majority of prenups:
The cost of the preparation process varies dramatically depending on your location and the details of your divorce. Some cost $2,000. Others can cost $10,000 or more.
Perhaps this is a more appropriate question to ask: How much money do you and your future spouse already have? If you have enough money that you are concerned about what would happen to it in a divorce, it is worth the time and effort to create a prenuptial agreement together.
Maybe you and your future spouse choose not to sign a prenup before marriage. But what if your circumstances change after the “I dos”, and you wish you had some protections in place? Can you get a prenup after marriage?
Not exactly, but you still have the option of signing a postnuptial agreement. This is basically the same kind of paperwork as a prenup, but it is drawn up after you’ve been married.
You don’t have to be on the brink of divorce to sign a postnuptial agreement with your spouse. If your marriage goes through some of these common life changes, you might consider a post-nup:
An important note is that postnuptial agreements do not deal with child custody or child support. You also cannot use a post-nup to enforce routine responsibilities of each spouse. So, if you and your partner are arguing constantly about who has to wash the dishes, you can’t use a post-nup to hammer out those details.
Prenups and post-nups are important pieces of paperwork! You may want to look on the bright side and assume that you and your future spouse will never need one. But you and your partner are very different people. That’s why you love them!
That also means that you will probably run into big differences with each other. Having an agreement in place can protect your peace of mind and ensure that the needs of all involved parties are met. And that means that your contract needs to be precise and legally accurate.
As you begin your marriage together, plan to invest in a lawyer to help with your legal needs. Since each state in the U.S. has varying rules for prenuptial agreements, it’s best to ask a local lawyer for help. Some states may even require you both to have a lawyer who will look over your paperwork. And of course, if you do have to take your partner to court someday, you will be glad you have a lawyer who has helped you with each step of the process.
If you decide to create a prenup with your partner, look no further than LegalShield. We give you access to a dedicated provider law firm in your area—at a fraction of the hourly rates other lawyers charge. Your provider firm will provide the experience you need to secure the best possible outcome for your marriage.
If you are looking for more reasons to get a prenup, read about seven reasons why you might need one. Sign up for a personal prepaid plan to create and sign your important paperwork today.
Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc. (“PPLSI”) provides access to legal services offered by a network of provider law firms to PPLSI members through membership-based participation. Neither PPLSI nor its officers, employees or sales associates directly or indirectly provide legal services, representation, or advice. The information available in this blog is meant to provide general information and is not intended to provide legal advice, render an opinion, or provide any specific recommendations. The blog post is not a substitute for competent legal counsel from a licensed professional lawyer in the state or province where your legal issues exist, and the reader is strongly encouraged to seek legal counsel for your specific legal matter. Information contained in the blog may be provided by authors who could be a third-party paid contributor. All information by authors is accepted in good faith, however, PPLSI makes no representation or warranty of any kind, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, adequacy, validity, reliability, availability, or completeness of such information.
Family Law - November 2023
Family Law - November 2023
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