5 Myths About Prenuptial Agreements
These days, anyone planning on marriage should learn about prenuptial agreements. Although these legal documents have some negative stigma associated with them, they are very beneficial. Here are the truths behind five false ideas about prenuptial agreements.
- Prenuptial agreements show a lack of trust.
The most common myth about prenuptial agreements is that they show a lack of trust between the two parties and that its creation shows a divorce is inevitable. This is false. The only thing a prenuptial agreement proves is that you either have specific ideas about how your assets should be managed or you have specific items that are very important to you.
Early communication with your future spouse through a legal document is in no way an indicator that you don’t trust him or her, or that you anticipate your future together will be short-lived. Instead, a prenuptial agreement is a great way for both parties to express their expectations from each other to ensure they both are a good match for each other before the union takes place.
- Prenuptial agreements are only for the wealthy.
The truth is we all have things that are important to us. Prenuptial agreements can contain information about how to divide and manage wealth should a divorce occur. However, they can also contain the stipulation that you want to keep your baseball card collection should you ever get divorced.
It doesn’t really matter the value of the item. If it’s something that is important to you, it’s something worth protecting. That’s exactly what a prenuptial agreement does. It ensures that whatever holds value to you get returned should your union dissolve.
- Prenuptial agreements are only helpful if you get divorced.
Although it’s true that prenuptial agreements are helpful if you ever get divorced, that’s not their only purpose. When you take the time to explain how you want to handle your assets and the items that are important to you, you are actually laying the groundwork to prevent yourself from getting divorced. By clearly explaining what you expect, it can be easier to have tough conversations (particularly regarding spending and money management) before your marriage to ensure that you and your future spouse will be a good match.
- Only the wealthier spouse would benefit from a prenuptial agreement.
Prenuptial agreements are as beneficial for one spouse as they are for the other. We have already mentioned that this document can be beneficial for both parties to express their expectations of the other spouse before the union takes place. However, it’s also true that either party may benefit from a prenuptial agreement should a divorce occur.
As is the case with all contracts, if you hold up your end of the deal and your spouse doesn’t, it’s to your benefit. Regardless of whether or not you initiated the creation of the prenuptial agreement, if you hold up your end of the deal and your spouse doesn’t, you may be entitled to extra compensation.
- Prenuptial agreements are not upheld by the courts.
Prenuptial agreements are normally upheld by courts. However, there are cases when this is not true. Often, this is because the paperwork was not completed or executed correctly. This makes it all the more necessary that you receive help from a qualified attorney to draft your prenuptial agreement.
Get Help from a Professional
Prenuptial agreements are legal documents that can benefit both parties before, throughout, and after their marriage. However, in order for this document to be legally upheld in court, it’s best to have help from a professional family lawyer. The Alsandor Law Firm is experienced at creating prenuptial agreements in the state of Texas. If you want to learn more about a prenuptial agreement, call The Alsandor Law Firm at (713) 661-9783, or visit our website today.