Marriages are meant to unite people together, so why would anyone want to think about settling a prenuptial agreement when they’re getting married?
Contrary to what many people believe, working out a prenuptial agreement isn’t about planning out the demise of your marriage. It’s about looking at all the possibilities and planning for things that may—or may not—happen down the road. If something happens between you and your spouse that leads to a divorce, wouldn’t you want the separation to be as painless as possible? Wouldn’t you want to be able to focus on the personal and emotional aspects of your divorce instead of taking out your anger and frustration on each other by arguing over property?
The Basics
At The Farrish Law Firm, L.P.A., we understand that prenuptial agreements are often the best ways to avoid conflict during the end of a marriage. These contracts ensure that in the case of a divorce, one spouse cannot take advantage of the property that the other spouse owned prior to the marriage. They can also dictate that if a spouse receives assets through inheritance or future income through a business, the other spouse is not entitled to these monetary assets in the event of a divorce.
There are several ways that couples can customize a prenuptial agreement to fit their needs, and the attorneys at The Farrish Law Firm, L.P.A. understand how important it is to create a fair agreement. The only things that cannot be included in a prenuptial agreement is child support, child custody, and child visitation rights. Aside from those exceptions, it is possible to create an agreement that fits your situation.
Who Can Benefit from a Prenuptial Agreement?
Most of us only hear about prenuptial agreements when celebrities or politicians divorce, and we assume that the only reason a couple would sign an agreement is if one (or both) spouses already owns a substantial amount of money.
In reality, any couple can decide to sign a prenuptial agreement before getting married. Most couples decide to opt into these agreements if either spouse owns property before the marriage or expects to receive an inheritance at any point during the marriage. It is also suitable if one spouse is entering the marriage with debt, ensuring that if a divorce occurs, the other spouse will not be forced to bear the burden of a debt he or she did not incur.
Why Are Prenuptial Agreements Important?
It is easy to see why prenuptial agreements are so beneficial. They allow couples to keep their finances separate and focus on what is really important: their marriage to each other.
If you and your future spouse are considering signing a prenuptial agreement, or if you’d like more information on what the process entails, contact the Cincinnati, Ohio, are family law attorneys at The Farrish Law Firm, L.P.A.