how do i prepare for a conversation with an attorney about a pre-nuptual agreement?

by Doyle Bernhard Jr. 5 min read

When you are choosing an attorney, find one who specializes in marriages and prenuptial agreements. Once you find some potential candidates, sit down with them for an initial consultation. During this consultation you should ask the attorney about their background and experience in dealing with prenuptial agreements.

Here are some tips on how to get the conversation started and what to consider during the discussion:
  1. Start the discussion early. ...
  2. Be honest with your future spouse. ...
  3. Don't make demands. ...
  4. Avoid value judgements. ...
  5. Be clear about your desires. ...
  6. Listen. ...
  7. Be prepared to adapt. ...
  8. Don't give up.

Full Answer

Why do you need a prenuptial agreement lawyer?

Feb 26, 2016 · Avoid beginning the conversation with: "I want a prenup." This is a sensitive subject and must be handled delicately so as to avoid arguments. After all, if you begin the chat by annoying your partner, you're hardly likely to achieve the outcome you want. Blame me.

What should I look for when hiring a prenup lawyer?

Jul 28, 2021 · You should retain a lawyer to prepare your prenuptial agreement. Prenuptial agreements are complex legal documents that should be prepared only by lawyers. Issues such as spousal support, death benefits, classification of marital and separate property, expert fees, counsel fees and similar issues are usually included in a prenuptial agreement.

What should be included in a prenuptial agreement?

Jul 13, 2018 · “Say something along the lines of, ‘My family and I have always discussed and agreed that if I or my brother ever got married, we would sign a prenup,’ or, ‘My best friend went through a horrible divorce and all he can remember from it is his lawyer saying, ‘If only you had signed a prenuptial agreement.’”

What is a prenuptial contract?

Feb 10, 2020 · Download the Prenuptial Agreement Checklist PDF Talk to Your Partner First Have a conversation with your partner about the prenup as soon as you can. Don’t wait until you are almost married to bring it up. NoCourtDivorce says, “ Bring up the subject as soon as possible with your fiancé or partner.

How do you approach a prenup conversation?

How to Talk to Your Partner About a Prenuptial AgreementThere Are Many Strong Reasons to Have a Prenuptial Agreement. ... The Tone of the Discussion Is Important. ... Start Talking Early. ... Prepare for a Difficult Discussion. ... Tell Them Why It Is in Their Interest. ... Make Sure They Feel Like an Equal.More items...•Mar 10, 2021

What should I ask for a prenup?

You may not know what to include in a prenuptial agreement, so here are ten things you should ask for to get you started:Separate & Marital Property. ... Intellectual Property. ... Pet Custody. ... Gifts & Heirlooms. ... Spousal Support. ... Debt Protection. ... Financial Responsibilities. ... Estate Plan Protection.More items...•Dec 14, 2021

What can you negotiate with a prenup?

Otherwise, terms that you can negotiate within the prenup include a guaranteed sum of the household operating expenses, payment of attorney's fees in the case of a divorce, reasonable expenses during said divorce, and your alimony payments.Feb 5, 2021

What do I need to know before signing a prenup?

Before signing a prenuptial agreement, both parties are obligated to disclose their finances. This includes all investments, real estate, property, and financial liabilities. Some states also consider future inheritances and require them to be included as part of the agreement.Sep 15, 2021

What should not be included in a prenuptial agreement?

A prenuptial agreement cannot include personal preferences, such as who has what chores, whose name to use, where to spend the holidays, information on child-rearing, or what relationship to have with specific relatives. Premarital agreements are meant to address monetary issues.Jun 11, 2021

What items are not necessary to include in a prenuptial agreement?

A prenup can't include personal preferences, such as who has what chores, where to spend the holidays, whose name to use, details about child rearing, or what relationship to have with certain relatives. Prenuptial agreements are designed to address financially based issues.Sep 12, 2018

What does a standard prenup say?

A prenuptial agreement ("prenup" for short) is a written contract created by two people before they are married. A prenup typically lists all of the property each person owns (as well as any debts) and specifies what each person's property rights will be after the marriage.

Why you should not get a prenup?

Most prenups are much more extreme than they need to be. Prenups usually do not designate an area of joint financial venture. Marriages thrive from joint venture. Prenups keep you working separately. This is deadly to a marriage.

Should I be insulted by a prenup?

For starters, don't freak out. Being upset, offended, or taking it personally can quickly lead to resentment, which is no way to start your marriage. While it may feel like a personal attack when the words, "I'd like you to sign a prenup," are spoken, it's really not meant to be.Jul 17, 2018

What does a fair prenup look like?

So, what does that mean? A fair prenup should respectfully safeguard and shield the assets of both parties. To achieve this, there must be a full and complete disclosure of all assets, debts, and liabilities when the contract is drafted. This includes all investments, real estate, and financial obligations.Sep 21, 2021

How long before a wedding should a prenup be signed?

A prenuptial agreement should be signed at least 28 days before the marriage with all assets and property owned by both parties disclosed.

What is required for a prenuptial agreement?

One of the requirements for a prenuptial agreement is to make a list of assets and debts that you acquired before the marriage. You should also be aware of any financial issues you have and share those with your partner.

How many marriages end in divorce?

According to MortgageCalculator, “ 40% to 50% of all marriages in the United States end in divorce; and part of planning for the future as a married couple is considering every eventuality, even the ones you might prefer not to think about. For many couples, that plan includes a prenuptial agreement .”.

How soon should I bring up the subject of marriage?

If you haven’t talked about it before the engagement, I suggest raising the topic at least 6 months before the wedding date .”.

Is it easy to get an attorney to protect your family?

Engaging with an attorney to protect your family is never an easy step. Whether you need to protect your family from the unthinkable or restructure your family through collaborative divorce, we’re here to help. When you’re ready to schedule a consultation with Michelle Ogborne, please visit the scheduling page to get started.

Can a married couple file taxes separately?

A married couple can file jointly on their taxes, but they don’t have to. Talk to your partner about paying taxes to figure out if you are filing separately or jointly. Questions regarding filing taxes include:

What is the importance of prenup communication?

Prenup communication can put your issues to rest before you walk down the aisle so you can have a healthy relationship for the foreseeable future. Before you employ legal services, it's critical for you and your partner to discuss the terms you both want in the agreement.

What happens if you present a prenuptial agreement with only one party?

If you present the court with a prenuptial agreement where only one party had an attorney, the judge may see it as a red flag. If either spouse entered into the contract without understanding the benefits and risks, which can happen when only one person has a lawyer, a court may reject the contract during divorce proceedings.

What should a prenuptial agreement include?

You can include standard terms that outline how you will split your assets, wealth, and debt after a divorce.

How to divorce a spouse?

Some other terms you should consider including may be: 1 using alternative dispute resolution (i.e., mediation) to divorce 2 how you'll handle retirement and business assets 3 whether one spouse will continue living in the marital home, and if so, who will be responsible for paying the taxes, insurance, and mortgage 4 whether either spouse is responsible for the other's student loans, and 5 distinguish marital property and separate property.

What is alternative dispute resolution?

Some other terms you should consider including may be: using alternative dispute resolution (i.e., mediation ) to divorce. how you'll handle retirement and business assets. whether one spouse will continue living in the marital home, and if so, who will be responsible for paying the taxes, insurance, and mortgage.

Is a prenup a legal contract?

Contrary to popular belief, prenuptial agreements (also called "prenups") aren't just for wealthy couples. Whether you're living paycheck to paycheck or you have many assets, creating a legally-binding contract that protects what assets you do have might be an excellent planning tool for your financial future.

Can you cover alimony in a prenup?

You can cover many other financial issues in a prenup, including whether either spouse will pay alimony (spousal support) in the event of a divorce and whether you'll be responsible for each other's debts. Generally, you will need to prepare a complete inventory of your assets and debts, and your fiancé must do the same.

What does a prenup agreement mean?

The agreement may also specify whether one spouse will pay the other alimony; it may also determine how the couple will divide assets accumulated during the marriage, particularly real estate, or investment accounts. Hiring a prenup lawyer before marriage can save an individual from many bad experiences in the future.

What is a prenuptial agreement?

The latter reason rests in the fact that a prenuptial agreement is a contract that must be interpreted and enforced if necessary. Therefore, the best prenuptial agreement lawyers are skilled in both family and contract law. Also Read: Prenuptial Agreement Checklist.

Is a prenuptial agreement enforceable?

When all parties are satisfied, the agreement will be signed by you and your fiancé, therefore making it an enforceable agreement. Hiring a prenup lawyer or an attorney who is experienced in drafting and interpreting prenuptial agreements, will be best in assisting you with drafting a prenuptial agreement or representing you in a dispute arising ...

Who is Sylvia Smith?

Sylvia Smith loves to share insights on how couples can revitalize their love lives in and out of the bedroom. As a writer at Marriage.com, she is a big believer in living consciously and encourages couples to adopt this principle in their lives too.

How to prepare for a mediation hearing?

Step 1. CHOOSE THE RIGHT ADR PROCESS The various ADR processes have their good and bad points, and some are better suited to certain situations than others . Here, in a nutshell, are the most common:

What is ADR in court?

Dispute Resolution (ADR) is a system of processes designed to assist parties in resolving their disputes economically and more quickly than the traditional court system. Its value lies in reducing the time, cost and uncertainty in the civil justice system. The key to achieving successful results in ADR is preparation. The following represents the basic steps for an attorney to prepare for a mediation hearing.

What is confidentiality in court?

CONFIDENTIALITY Make sure the written agreement is executed by all parties confirming the confidentiality of all information learned during the process, and that the information cannot be used later against someone in court. (The rules of evidence in some states may not provide adequate protection).

What is mediation in law?

MEDIATION A private, voluntary process in which an impartial person facilitates communication between the parties to promote a mutually agreeable settlement.

How to reach agreement after hard work?

REACHING AGREEMENT After all of the hard work that you have done to reach agreement, take a few final steps to make sure that there are no disappointments: Put the agreement in writing. Don’t wait — do it immediately upon reaching agreement. Make sure the parties can perform the agreement; and. Congratulate each other.

How to deal with a dispute in a negotiation?

Steps include: Cultivating a sense of mental detachment. Take yourself out of the negotiations playing field and insert the dispute in your place. This allows you to talk about the issues in dispute, rather than getting bogged down in personality games. Meeting the other side’s needs.

Is a hearing formal or informal?

FORMALITIES AND INFORMALITIES Usually a hearing is informal, although each mediator has his or her own style. Ask the mediator about his/her style or approach in advance of the hearing or at the beginning of the session. Mediators vary in their insistence on following formal evidence rules.