Creating Premarital Agreements For Residents Of Raleigh And The Triangle
At Daphne Edwards Divorce & Family Law, PC, our lawyer’s commitment to helping clients in Wake County navigate the complexities of family law is unwavering. Attorney Daphne Edwards recognizes that a prenuptial agreement can be a valuable tool for individuals entering a marriage, offering them peace of mind and financial security.
As an experienced family law practitioner, she also understands the unique challenges that individuals may face when contemplating a prenuptial agreement.
Below are common questions that she regularly receives. To get answers to questions pertaining to your situation, call us at 919-891-8552 or contact us online.
What is a prenuptial agreement?
A prenuptial agreement is a legal contract between two individuals before they enter a marriage. This contract outlines the parties’ rights, responsibilities and financial arrangements in the event of a divorce, a separation or the death of one of the spouses. Prenuptial agreements are designed to protect the interests and assets of each party, ensuring a fair and equitable resolution should the marriage end.
Prenuptial agreements are not solely about planning for divorce; they also function as a proactive way to manage financial expectations and address essential issues before entering into marriage. They can help both parties clarify their financial obligations and expectations, reducing potential conflicts in the future.
What are the benefits of a prenuptial agreement?
Prenuptial agreements offer various advantages for those contemplating marriage, including:
- Asset protection: Prenuptial agreements allow you to protect your premarital assets, such as property, businesses or investments. This can be especially crucial if one or both of you have substantial assets or debts.
- Clarity and transparency: By defining financial responsibilities and expectations, a prenuptial agreement promotes transparency and communication between you and your partner, reducing the risk of misunderstandings and disputes in the future.
- Safeguarding family interests: If you have children from a previous relationship or want to ensure that specific assets remain within your family, a prenuptial agreement can help protect these interests.
- Debt protection: Prenups can outline how shared debts will be divided, protecting both you and your spouse from unfairly having to shoulder the burdens of each other’s liabilities.
- Preservation of business interests: For business owners, a prenuptial agreement can stipulate the division of business assets, which is essential to safeguard the future of your enterprise.
- Alimony provisions: You can establish the terms for spousal support or alimony, preventing lengthy and contentious disputes in the event of a divorce.
- Minimization of financial risk: A prenuptial agreement can minimize the financial risk associated with marriage, making it a pragmatic choice for those with significant wealth.
What does a prenuptial agreement cover?
The contents of a prenuptial agreement can vary widely based on the unique needs and circumstances of the parties involved. Here are some common provisions often included:
- Property division: The agreement can specify how property acquired during the marriage will be divided in the event of divorce or separation.
- Spousal support: It can outline the terms of spousal support, including the amount and duration.
- Debts: A prenup can address how shared debts will be managed.
- Inheritance fights: You can determine how inheritance or gifts received during the marriage will be handled.
- Business ownership: If one or both of you own a business, the agreement can address how the business will be divided or protected.
- Children’s rights: While custody and child support issues cannot be predetermined in a prenuptial agreement, it can establish financial support for children from a previous marriage.
- Lifestyle clauses: Some couples include clauses related to lifestyle choices, such as who pays for certain expenses or how chores are divided.
It’s important to note that prenuptial agreements must adhere to legal requirements and cannot include provisions that violate the law or public policy. Our experienced attorney at Daphne Edwards Divorce & Family Law can help you navigate the legal intricacies to create a prenuptial agreement that is tailored to your specific needs and compliant with North Carolina law.
Get Help With Prenuptial Agreements
People who have children from a prior relationship can use a prenuptial agreement to ensure that certain assets are distributed to their children upon their death rather than being left to a spouse who may potentially pass such assets on to stepchildren or in-law relatives.
A prenuptial agreement does not have to be one sided; it can be tailored to meet the needs and protect the interests of both parties. For example, a prenuptial agreement can be structured to benefit a dependent or less wealthy spouse by containing provisions that provide for a specific distribution of income or assets to that spouse in the event of a separation or divorce.
Discussing a prenuptial agreement may not be romantic, but it can provide an opportunity to have an open and honest discussion with your prospective spouse regarding each other’s assets, debts, incomes and expenses. It can also help you determine how each of you will contribute to the marital and household expenses and how you expect to distribute property in the event of divorce or death.
Contact Our Wake County Prenuptial Agreement Attorney Today
Prenuptial agreements can protect your assets, clarify financial expectations and reduce potential conflicts in the future. However, it is important to get counseling from a prenuptial agreement lawyer before you begin creating this document.
Our attorney at Daphne Edwards Divorce & Family Law is committed to helping you create a prenuptial agreement that meets your unique needs while ensuring that it adheres to North Carolina law. Whether you’re considering a prenuptial agreement or need assistance with other family law matters, our experienced lawyer is here to guide you through every step.
Schedule your consultation with her by calling us at 919-891-8552 or reaching out to us online.