Prenuptial Agreement Tallahassee, FL
Florida couples may view a prenuptial agreement Tallahassee, FL as an important part of planning to be married. Although it might not be easy to bring up the subject to your partner, it is necessary. At McKinney Law Group, we specialize in drafting prenups. Here are a few signs that you may want to get a prenuptial agreement.
You Have Significant Assets
If you have significant assets, like homes, boats, businesses and stocks, you likely worked very hard for them. The last thing you want is to lose half your assets in the event of a divorce. If you enter into a prenuptial agreement, you can protect your assets if you should get divorced in the future.
You or Your Partner Will Stay at Home
A prenuptial agreement can also provide advantages to those who plan on staying at home after marriage. In this agreement, you can include an alimony arrangement. If a divorce should happen in the future, the spouse who stayed at home and missed out on career advancement can receive necessary support.
Your Partner Has Significant Debt
Whether it’s from student loans or credit cards, carrying high amounts of debt may also call for a prenuptial agreement in Tallahassee, FL. Just like assets, debts can be divided equitably in divorce, even if just one spouse racked up the debt. If you don’t want to get stuck with your partner’s debt in the event of a divorce, it may be wise to consider a prenup.
You’ve Been Married Before
People who have been married before are more likely to request a prenuptial agreement for a future marriage. They may have gotten stuck paying their former spouse’s debts or lost half their assets. If this is your second marriage, you may benefit from a prenuptial agreement.
Learn More About Getting a Prenup
Thinking about getting a prenup can seem scary for many couples. Working through this paperwork can make you feel like you are dooming your relationship. No one wants to feel like they will be back in their lawyer’s office a few years later signing divorce paperwork. However, a prenup can offer many couples peace of mind when it comes to certain battles they may have to experience when they get married.
What is the difference between a prenup vs. a postnup?
Prenups and postnups are very similar and, for the most part, have the same purpose. The main difference is that the couple will create and sign their prenup before they get married and create and sign their postnup during their marriage. Many people find that it is hard to create a prenup before marriage or that they simply have more left to negotiate. When this is the case, they may continue these negotiations into marriage.
Is a prenup a good idea when one or both of the wedding parties has already been married?
Absolutely. Many lawyers will encourage their clients to create a prenup when one or both parties have been married because prior marriages (and children from other marriages/relationships) can complicate things when it comes to dividing up property. Especially if you have seen the ugly side of divorce and know the unique problems that can come with it, you may be more inclined to get a prenup this time around to safeguard yourself and your spouse.
Can a prenup help protect my business?
This is a great benefit to signing a prenup. If you have poured your sweat and tears into creating a business, you may be concerned about how a potential divorce could destroy this business or you may be concerned about losing your business in the midst of a divorce. A prenup can outline what will happen to your business if something in your marriage goes wrong and it can even protect the business if your spouse wants equal rights or power to it during a divorce.
Can a prenup discuss confidentiality?
Yes. For many reasons, you may be a particularly private person or you simply may not want your information, conversations, or private life aired out to the public. You can create a prenup agreement that states your spouse is not allowed to disclose certain information, publish, or document details about your relationship or life.
How can a prenup protect me as a stay-at-home parent?
If you know going into your marriage that you are going to be a stay-at-home parent, you can write in an obligation for your spouse to pay for certain things if you get a divorce. Many people who are stay-at-home parents lose out on the opportunity to continue in the workforce. This means that if they end up re-joining the workforce, they will have lost out on years of bonuses, promotions, and raises. Speak with your lawyer if you would like to add in protection as a stay-at-home parent when you are creating a prenup.
When to Start Thinking About a Prenuptial Agreement
The sooner you start thinking about a prenup, the better. In fact, if feasible, it is a good idea to start the conversation of prenups before you get engaged. Have a sit down with your partner and explain why you want to enter into a prenuptial agreement. If your partner does not have a positive reaction at first, don’t fret. You have time to bring up the subject again at a different time.
If you are thinking about getting a prenuptial agreement in Tallahassee, FL, schedule a consultation with a qualified lawyer.