PRENUPTIAL AND POSTNUPTIAL AGREEMENTS

Marriage creates legal rights that affect each spouse’s property during the marriage, upon dissolution (divorce) and at death. Addressing and modifying these rights through a prenuptial (prior to marriage) agreement or postnuptial (after marriage) agreement can make the parties more certain about the financial aspects of their marriage. These agreements set forth the framework for the division of assets upon divorce or death. They typically provide that one spouse may protect his or her inherited property or family business from spousal claims or settle similar financial matters that would otherwise cause marital stress. We counsel our clients on the benefits of entering into nuptial agreements and negotiate, draft and review them with an eye on preserving harmony between the parties. We bring our knowledge of property, estate, trust and tax law to the process and integrate it with our clients’ other planning goals.