Pre-Nuptial and Post Nuptial Agreements

There are those who hear the term “pre-nuptial agreement” and think of it in a negative light, but more and more people are coming to understand the pragmatic value of these agreements. Rather than being  “deal breakers” that extinguish the momentum toward marriage, these agreements actually facilitate far more committed unions than they prevent.

The primary reason for this is the simple fact that we live in a different world than we did two or three generations ago. In a very real sense the subtle definition of what the word “marriage” is describing has changed.

We may not like it, but the notion that marriage is a permanent bond that no one can set asunder is simply not playing out in reality. Upwards of half of all marriages end in divorce, and 75% of divorced people remarry. Most of them have children from previous marriages. So how can you make sure that your children will remain your rightful heirs should you pass away after remarrying?

That would be done through the execution of a pre-nuptial agreement that delineates the personal property of each party entering the marriage. It would be tough to contend that a parent was being insensitive to his or her spouse-to-be when this person was merely doing the responsible thing with regard to the interests of his or her children. If pre-nuptial agreements did not exist, it could be argued that the only course of action that was fair to your children would be to eschew remarriage.

Post nuptial agreements are not as frequently mentioned, but they too can aid the institution of marriage. Couples often argue over money, and these disagreements are the root cause of many divorces. By executing a post nuptial agreement you can define the personal property of each partner and the source of this ongoing strain on the marriage is then removed from the equation for good.

For legal advice about pre-nuptial and post nuptial agreements, contact a Lawton OK family attorney to arrange for a free consultation.