Pre-nuptial Agreements

Planning for marriage is a happy and exciting time in one’s life, full of future expectations and hopes for a good life together. Because each person may bring to the marriage different financial circumstances or issues from a previous marriage, it is often wise to draw up a pre-nuptial agreement. Deciding beforehand and making arrangements on how affairs will be handled may avoid marital problems further down the road.

Recognized in all 50 states, including the District of Columbia, prenuptial agreements may take precedence over many divorce laws. Our family lawyers assist couples with pre-nuptial agreements and address your individual rights and property accumulated prior to marriage. Assets, debts, guidelines on how to provide for spousal support and children from a previous marriage are typically some considerations covered by a prenuptial agreement. However, a prenuptial agreement can also establish agreements regarding ownership rights to death benefits from a Life Insurance Policy, the making of Wills and Trusts, possible waiver of Spousal Support, possible minimum “guarantee” of Spousal Support, and choice of law to construe the Agreement, to name a few.

Sorry, but Pre Nups can’t be used to enforce agreements about the religious upbringing of your children, nor can you “penalize” a spouse for “fault” (e.g. drinking, infidelity) with a Pre Nup in California.
 
Our attorneys will explain the importance of full disclosure and other factors necessary to drafting a sound pre-nuptial agreement. We will also review all your issues and work with you to devise an agreement that covers all your concerns, including circumstances such as death or failure of the marriage.

To discuss a prenuptial agreement, please send us an email or call our office at 310-391-6800. We will be glad to arrange a consultation and look forward to working with you.