Prenuptial Agreements

Why would anyone who is about to get married want to think about what would happen if they got divorced?  That is the reaction many people have when they hear about prenuptial agreements.  Many people think that as soon as they are married "what's mine is yours and what's yours is mine."   But that is not exactly what the law says.  Married people can have separate property and sometimes there are good reasons to keep it that way.  For example:

• When one spouse brings much greater financial assets and property into the marriage than the other
• When one spouse gives up a well-paying job or career in order to stay at home with children or to follow the other spouse to a new geographic location
• When one spouse is part of a family business
• When one spouse has children from a prior marriage
• When the spouses have differing investment and retirement goals due to age disparity or philosophical reasons

Money problems are one of the primary causes of the breakup of marriages.  Discussing these issues ahead of time can prevent disputes over money from arising later on.

Skillful, Experienced and Effective Matrimonial and Divorce Attorneys

If you want to head off financial problems before you get married, a prenuptial agreement is a good place to start.  Berkman Bottger Newman & Rodd, LLP can guide you through the decisions that need to be made.