Prenuptial Agreement St. Petersburg, FL

A prenuptial agreement in St. Petersburg, FL refers to a legal document that lets soon-to-be-married couples determine how they would fairly split their assets in the event of a divorce. These agreements may be beneficial for those who own a business, have significant retirement accounts, want to take time off to raise children or have been married before. At The McKinney Law Group, we help couples draft legally enforceable prenuptial agreements. 

If you are thinking about creating a prenuptial agreement, you may be nervous about discussing the matter with your partner. Here are a few ways for coming to your partner about this agreement. 

Have the Conversation Early

When it comes to discussing an uncomfortable subject, it’s easy to procrastinate the conversation. However, it’s better to have the conversation earlier than later. If possible, try to bring the subject up before you get officially engaged. Having the conversation early will give your partner enough time to think the matter over and make an informed decision.

Find the Right Time

When you want to talk about a matter as sensitive as a prenuptial agreement, it’s best to bring it up when your partner is in a calm state. Your partner is much more likely to think rationally when he or she is relaxed.

Discuss Your Reasoning

If you request a prenuptial agreement in St. Petersburg, FL from your partner, expect him or her to ask about your reasoning. It’s important to be completely honest with your partner. For instance, if your parents went through a messy divorce when you were a child and it deeply affected you, let your partner know. Perhaps you want to have as little headache as possible if you two decide to get divorced in the future. Make it clear that a prenup can make a divorce less expensive and emotionally draining.

Emphasize That a Prenuptial Agreement Doesn’t Mean You Don’t Believe in the Marriage

If you tell your partner that you want a prenuptial agreement, he or she might assume that you don’t have much faith in the relationship. Your partner might think that you believe a divorce will inevitably happen. Make it clear to your partner that this isn’t the case. Tell your partner that the agreement shows that you both believe in honest communication and strengthening your bond. 

Be Prepared for a Negative Reaction

Even if you discuss a prenuptial agreement in a calm manner, your partner may still not take it well at first. It’s important to be prepared for this. If your partner has a negative reaction, give him or her some space. Your partner may need more time to think the matter through.

If you want to establish a prenuptial agreement St. Petersburg, FL residents rely on, contact a skilled lawyer. The legal professionals at The McKinney Law Group are ready to listen to your concerns. 

Common Myths About Prenuptial Agreements

If you are getting married soon, you may be thinking about getting a prenuptial agreement in St. Petersburg, FL. However, these agreements have earned a bad reputation throughout the years, so you may not know if you are making the right decision. Here are a few common myths about these agreements that you should not believe.

 

• Prenuptial agreements are only intended for the wealthy. This is one of the biggest misconceptions about prenuptial agreements. Although these agreements address financial matters, people of varying income levels can benefit from them. Prenuptial agreements can help many types of couples save money in the future, not just wealthy ones.

• Prenuptial agreements are not enforceable. Some people forgo prenuptial agreements because they assume that they can’t be enforced in court anyway. However, as long as the agreement is written correctly and follows the proper legal procedures, it will likely be enforced in court. An experienced lawyer can review your agreement to ensure it will be enforceable.

• Prenuptial agreements are about a lack of trust. At first, it is easy to see why many people would believe this. After all, why would someone ask their partner to sign this agreement if they trusted them? However, prenuptial agreements have less to do with trust and more to do with preparation. Half of marriages still result in divorce. If both partners have to reveal their assets and debts from the beginning, it can streamline the divorce process.

• Getting a prenuptial agreement can harm your relationship. Some people shy away from getting a St. Petersburg prenuptial agreement because they are afraid it will ruin their relationship. However, if your relationship is strong to begin with, this agreement should not affect it that much. It is important to discuss the idea of a prenuptial agreement early on with your partner and be completely honest with one another. 

• Prenuptial agreements are all about property division. It is true that an important aspect of a prenuptial agreement is clarifying how assets will be divided in a divorce. However, they also address other issues that could arise in a divorce, such as child-related expenses and spousal support.

• Prenuptial agreements are too expensive. While prenuptial agreements do come with a cost, they are usually more affordable than people think. They are definitely low-cost when compared to the potential cost of litigation that could come about if a prenup is not established.

• You do not need a lawyer to create a prenuptial agreement. Some couples may opt to create their prenuptial agreement themselves to save on legal fees. However, this is rarely a good idea. The laws regarding prenuptial agreements vary from state to state. If you are not familiar with the specific laws in your state, you might not be able to create a valid agreement. An experienced lawyer can help you draft a valid agreement and prevent you from making errors.