what to ask your attorney about your prenup

by Dr. Fredrick O'Connell 8 min read

You want to ask your attorney how many prenups he/she has done. Remember, only 2.2 million people get married a year in all of America. Just like picking a real estate agent or loan officer, you want to pick an attorney with experience.

What Should a Woman Ask for in a Prenup?
  • Premarital property. Any property you bring to the marriage is considered marital property. ...
  • Gifts. Throughout the course of a marriage, typically there are a lot of gifts given and received. ...
  • Alimony. ...
  • Infidelity clause.
Jun 30, 2020

Full Answer

What is a prenup and do I need one?

Dec 14, 2021 · When writing your prenup, you should discuss which of your assets will be separate or community property with your spouse. These terms can also be known as premarital and marital property in other jurisdictions. The court defines assets that a spouse acquires before marriage as separate property.

Do you need an attorney to sign a prenup?

May 14, 2021 · Drafting a prenuptial agreement in Illinois is important. You have worked hard for the assets you have acquired. Prenuptial agreements ensure the final say of how your assets are spilt is not determined by Illinois courts. When preparing for a consultation with your attorney about your prenuptial agreement, there are certain questions that are important […]

What happens if you don’t have a prenup in a divorce?

Organize your thoughts by asking your attorney the following questions. Q: We completely agree about how we will share our assets if we get a divorce. Why do we need a prenup? Your attorney will likely explain to you why it is imperative to put your agreement in writing, so that there can be no question about what it says and what the details are.

Do you need a prenup if you have pets?

Jul 27, 2018 · Here are the types of questions you’ll want to ask as you discuss a prenuptial agreement, all with the idea of deciding if it’s the right decision: Do you understand the pros and cons of creating a prenuptial agreement? Do you have any fears about the future, some of which can be settled by a prenuptial agreement?

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What can I ask for in 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 do you discuss in a prenup?

Some topics to discuss for inclusion in your prenup include:Debts.Assets.Property.Business.Expected inheritances.Dec 2, 2021

What voids a prenup?

The three most common grounds for nullifying a prenup are unconscionability, failure to disclose, or duress and coercion. Unconscionability may be present if the agreement is patently unfair to one party.

What can and Cannot 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

Is a prenup a red flag?

In short, talking to your partner about getting a prenup isn't a red flag so much as it's about having an open and honest dialogue with your partner about money — and considering you've already make the decision to spend the rest of your life with this person, having that conversation shouldn't be such a difficult step ...Jan 20, 2016

Should I be offended by a prenup?

What You're Feeling is Normal. Before discussing how you should respond to a request for a prenup, it's a good idea for you to understand that your initial feelings – whatever they are – are completely normal. It's okay to feel hurt, mad, upset, angry, or disappointed.

Does cheating void a prenup?

Spousal abuse or cheating does not void or invalidate a prenuptial or partition agreement unless the agreement specifically states that. Most prenuptial or partition agreements do not mention abuse or cheating.

Does a prenup mean you get nothing?

If you and your spouse choose not to get a prenup, the laws of California will control your marriage anyway, and they may not be the right fit for your marriage. Thus, a prenup is a once in a lifetime opportunity for you and your spouse to actively work together to create the laws that will control your marriage.Sep 21, 2020

Can a prenup be challenged?

Like any legal contract, however, prenuptial and postnuptial agreements can be challenged under certain circumstances: Fraud. Duress (potentially including “undue influence”) Unconscionability.Aug 18, 2020

What are five things that Cannot be included in a prenuptial agreement?

5 Things You Cannot Include in Your Prenuptial Agreement Nonfinancial Rules. ... Anything Illegal. ... Terms Involving Child Custody or Support. ... Unfair or Unreasonable Terms. ... Incentive for Divorce.May 23, 2016

Can I protect my 401k with a prenup?

If you have a prenuptial agreement regarding your 401(k) and other retirement funds, it's best to appeal it to the court and follow the legal process. However, if you don't have a prenuptial agreement, your spouse will most likely claim a portion of your retirement funds, depending on the state law.Mar 7, 2022

Can you put a cheating clause in a prenup?

Rather, prenuptial agreements (prenups) can contain provisions referred to as cheating clauses, which can entitle one spouse to financial gain in the case that their partner commits infidelity.Feb 4, 2021

What is a prenup?

It’s a casual term for “prenuptial agreement” or an agreement you execute before getting married. In legal terms, “the most common purpose for a prenup is to determine who gets what in the event of a divorce,” Carrozza says.

Why do people postnup?

The most common reason for a postnup is to protect the inheritance of the kids you’ve had together.

Can I get out of a prenup without an attorney?

The short answer? No. “There are some legal documents that people can do without an attorney, [like a basic will]. But this is not one of them,” Carrozza says. A prenup is difficult to enforce unless you have your own attorney write it. So your fiancé can’t just hand you a legal document, and ask you to sign it. “That’s one of the classic ways to get out of a prenup—by claiming you did not have an opportunity to consult with your own attorney,” Carrozza says.

Can I get a prenup if I quit my job?

“But it can also be helpful to a partner with fewer assets because individuals will often quit a job or relocate prior to a marriage, and a prenup can ensure that they are made financially whole in the event of a breakup.” So if you quit your job to raise the kids, a prenup could specify that you get financial support from your spouse, since you may have a harder time finding new employment.

Can a prenup have child custody?

(Take, for example, actress Jessica Biel’s cheating fee in her prenup with Justin Timberlake.) One thing you can’t specify: child custody, which would not be upheld. There’s also a provision that’s popular with couples who get married later in life.

Can you create a new prenup?

Sure—as long as you both agree to it. You’d just revoke the previous agreement, and create a new one. Even better, you can create your original prenup with a timer feature. “A lot of couples draft prenups that disintegrate on their own after, say after 10 years,” Carrozza says. Once this happens, the couple should then revisit the conditions of the prenup.

Is a prenuptial agreement just for celebrities?

Part financial planning, part legal document and part romance-killer (or so say some people), a prenuptial agreement isn’t just for celebrities.

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