When most people hear the term “prenuptial agreement,” their first thought is divorce. While a prenuptial agreement does offer an array of protections for a divorcing couple, it also provides a foundation for financial management during a marriage.
Disagreements over money can put a great deal of stress on a marriage. A well-crafted prenuptial agreement can alleviate this strain.
At Twyford Law Office, our family law attorneys are:
Head off financial problems before you get married. Call Twyford Law Office for professional guidance preparing a prenuptial agreement today.
Prenuptial agreements are no longer for the rich and famous. These pre-marriage contracts now help regular people maintain their property and possessions in case of a divorce. They can also determine the following:
Although a couple can draft their own prenuptial agreement, it is not a good idea. These contracts can be very complicated. This is especially true when one or both partners own a significant amount of property or maintain investment accounts or business ventures.
Using a Seattle family lawyer from Twyford Law Office to draft the prenuptial agreement allows couples to provide for a wide variety of circumstances. One of our attorneys can ensure:
A prenuptial agreement is a form of a marriage contract used to safeguard the rights of individuals before, during, and after marriage. The protections in a prenuptial agreement can cover property, assets, and contact with children in the relationship.
Washington has no laws allowing people to affirmatively alter their marital rights and duties through a contract. However, the courts have a series of cases they use to analyze prenuptial agreements in Washington State.
Overall, the Washington courts disfavor prenuptial agreements and often refuse to enforce them. The court cites the following reasons for this:
Courts in Washington have a two-prong test for evaluating prenuptial agreements. First, the court looks at whether the prenuptial agreement is “fair” or “what a court would do had no prenuptial agreement been executed.” Second, the court determines whether the prenuptial agreement was entered into “knowingly and voluntarily.”
So long as both spouses “knowingly and voluntarily” entered the prenuptial agreement, the court will usually uphold that prenuptial agreement. “Knowingly and voluntarily” means the following:
Creating a prenuptial agreement can be challenging. If you are going to put your time and effort into creating a prenuptial agreement with your future spouse, make sure your prenuptial agreement is valid and enforceable under Washington state law.
Contact Twyford Law Office today for advice and guidance regarding the impact any prenuptial provisions will have on your present and future. Do not leave the viability of your prenuptial agreement to chance. Meet with a legal professional from Twyford Law Office.