What’s a Postnuptial and Should We Have One?

Most people are familiar with prenuptial agreements and what they are all about. However, you might be surprised to find that you can also draft a marital agreement after you are already wed, and these are called postnuptial agreements. What is a Postnuptial Agreement? Essentially a postnuptial agreement is the same as a prenuptial except for one thing; the timing. Prenuptial agreements are drafted, reviewed, and signed before the couple is married. A postnuptial is not created until after the couple is married. Typically, couples have “the conversation” about assets and money and craft a prenuptial before getting married, giving each party the option to cancel the union and go their separate ways. However, in the 1970s as divorce rates skyrocketed, postnuptial agreements became more popular. Some couples choose to wait until after they are married before equitably dividing up their assets in an agreement. Laws vary by state, but a postnuptial will cover the following items:

• The division of property and assets (who gets what in the event of a divorce).
• Alimony and other spousal support concerns.
• Joint-owned liabilities and who is responsible for them (credit card debt, loans, mortgages, etc.).
• Custody and issues regarding minor children.

A postnuptial may also spell out what happens to either party's assets should they die. Should You Have a Postnuptial Agreement? There are no guarantees in life, and even though when you get married, it feels like forever, things change, and life throws you into situations that you would never have before considered. The question of whether or not to have a postnuptial agreement is a personal one. Some things to consider when deciding are:

• If a married couple has children from a previous marriage, they may want to protect assets meant for their kids, should one person die.
• Often, couples simply want to designate asset ownership for things that they had before the marriage or joint property belonging to them both that was acquired during the marriage. If either party comes into a lot of money from an inheritance, lottery winnings, or other means, they may want to create boundaries around that money, so it goes exactly where they want it to upon divorce or death.
• When one spouse has legal, financial, or even health issues, the couple may want to draft an agreement protecting the other's interests and assets.
• If one party is financially dependent on the other (like a stay-at-home parent), the couple may want to ensure that the support will continue beyond the marriage.

Both premarital and postnuptial agreements must be entered into voluntarily. The postnuptial must be legally binding, fair, and validly executed. Each party must be forthcoming and disclose all assets and liabilities at the time of signing. A postnuptial is designed to shield you in the event of a divorce. However, you will want to be sure to consult a Boca law firm handling family law to make sure you have complied with the law and are fully protected.   About the Author  

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