Articles Posted in Premarital Agreements

Tips for Developing Your Prenuptial Agreement in California

Tips for Developing Your Prenuptial Agreement in California

Prenuptial contracts have something of a bad reputation, typically because most people view the suggestion of a prenuptial agreement as a sign of lack of faith that a marriage will last. While it’s true that a prenuptial contract can act as a blueprint for a future divorce, it can also provide substantial economic benefits to both spouses, effectively insulating them from one another’s debts and financial obligations. In addition, some people believe that prenuptial contracts are only necessary for very wealthy people; the reality is that this type of contract can offer significant legal protections to anyone.

If you have reservations about asking your spouse-to-be to consider a prenuptial agreement, it’s essential to understand what your agreement can include and the benefits of drafting one collaboratively with your partner. When done correctly, creating a prenuptial contract can yield strong financial protections for you and your spouse and help you have difficult conversations before marriage, potentially bringing you closer as a couple.

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How Does a Postnup or a Prenup Affect Your California Divorce?

How Does a Postnup or a Prenup Affect Your California Divorce?

In the State of California, both prenuptial and postnuptial agreements are recognized, and couples facing divorce need to be aware of the role the agreement plays. Among the many factors they must consider is the fact that certain issues may render various clauses, or the whole document, unenforceable. Anyone going through a divorce must first determine whether their agreement is valid in court before they start determining its potential influence on spousal support, child custody, and property division.

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Everything to Know About Premarital Agreements

Everything to Know About Premarital Agreements

Marriage is one of the most important decisions an individual will ever make. There are many diverse factors that go into choosing a partner, and they can differ widely depending on the individual. What does not differ, however, is the human drive to protect ourselves in the event that these major decisions fail to work out. That’s why many individuals opt to create a prenuptial agreement before marriage. In doing so, they are protecting themselves from future financial problems.

Prenuptial agreements, also known as prenups or premarital agreements, can be especially beneficial for couples who bring significant assets into the marriage. Prenups are also popular for individuals who have experienced divorce before. However, a prenuptial agreement is not the right decision for everyone. To accurately assess if a prenup is right for you, it’s essential to understand the basics of what a prenuptial agreement entails.

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How Do I Create a Prenuptial Contract?

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Prenuptial contracts can provide marrying couples with substantial advantages and financial security. Unfortunately, these contracts have negative connotations for many people, most of whom believe that the suggestion of a prenuptial contract is an indication of a lack of faith in the success of the relationship. The reality is that prenuptial contracts can provide financial security to marrying spouses, especially those who have financial obligations to children from previous marriages, those who control substantial assets, and those who want to protect themselves from their spouse’s debts.

Creating a prenuptial contract is relatively simple; the difficulty lies in the scope of the contract and the complexity of the issues included in the contract. There are many tools and software applications available that can help you draft your own prenuptial contract, but ultimately it is always best to work with an experienced family law attorney to ensure your contract is fair and enforceable.

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Is an Annulment Right for You?

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Ending a relationship, especially a marriage, is never easy. Depending on the circumstances, it can be rather messy. When involved in a legally binding marriage, there are a few options to consider for ending that legal contract. For many, this path is divorce. For some, this path may be an annulment. It can be challenging to have an annulment granted, so it is crucial to speak with an attorney to help you understand if this is the appropriate route for you. There are limited reasons that qualify for an annulment, and you’ll have to provide adequate evidence to do so. You will also potentially face a statute of limitations, which will put a deadline on your ability to file. An experienced annulment attorney such as the attorneys at Bickford Blado & Botros can guide you in this process.

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Misconceptions of Signing a Prenup

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Getting married is one of the most exciting life events. You’ve decided to settle down with a certain someone, and you’ve committed the rest of your future to that person. Marriage is not only the union of the two individual people but also a union of every different element of your lives, including property, finances, and general way of life. Before heading down the aisle, you may want to consider having a prenuptial agreement on file. While it may not be the most romantic aspect of your wedding planning, it will set up both parties with a secure understanding of what would happen if things ultimately don’t work out. When it comes to having a prenup, many common misconceptions influence making this important decision.

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Can Premarital Agreements Be Broken?

Can-Premarital-Agreements

The purpose of a premarital agreement is fairly straightforward—to provide guidance for how a separation should be conducted if a marriage ends in divorce. Due to its nature, most couples don’t think much of such agreements unless they are actively considering a legal separation. At that moment, it can be incredibly relieving to have such details outlined in advance, especially if the situation between you and your spouse has become contentious. However, depending on the terms of the agreement, there may be questions about whether everything outlined is still relevant or enforceable. To fully understand the limitations of a premarital agreement and under what circumstances the contents may be voided, it’s important to familiarize yourself with a little background regarding what these agreements are and why they exist.

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In many ways, a divorce can seem, and typically is, final.  It requires the filing of a judgment, a judge’s signature, and a marriage that is no longer the same.  But what happens when a party files for divorce and then changes his or her mind?  Or, what happens when a couple finalizes their divorce and then reconciles?  This blog will explore the consequences of these non-traditional relationships.Cartoon red heart with patch on the crack. Cute and friendly character with eyes and smile

First, let’s consider what happens when a party files for divorce but then changes his or her mind and wishes to withdraw the petition for dissolution.  In California, there is a 6-month statutory waiting period before any divorce can be finalized- and this scenario is exactly why.  Sometimes a couple is going through a rough patch and a spouse will file for divorce prematurely.  After discussing and working on their relationship the couple no longer wants to go through with their divorce.  So, what happens? Continue reading

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The infamous comedian-actor Robin Williams once said, “Divorce is expensive.  I used to joke they were going to call it ‘all the money,’ but they changed it to ‘alimony.’”

Alimony, or more commonly now called spousal support, may be awarded to either spouse during the pendency of a divorce proceeding, or in some cases after Judgment has been entered.  There are two types of spousal support: (1) Temporary; and (2) Permanent. Continue reading

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In this era it is hard to meet any young adult who does not have some amount of debt, with the most common form being student loans.  These loans can be hefty, as college, graduate school, and living expenses are incurred.  But what happens when you marry, and then separate from someone who has student loans?  Is the community entitled to any reimbursement for helping pay those loans down during the course of the marriage?  Does it matter if the loans were incurred during marriage or before marriage?  The answer is, it depends. Continue reading

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