Prenuptial Agreement

Prenuptial Agreements & Other Marital Planning

Marriage is about bringing two people together, and one of the most important aspects of that union is combining two sets of finances and financial goals. Premarital planning can greatly improve the financial side of marriage. 

Prenuptial Agreements

A common misconception about prenups is that they matter only if a couple separates or divorces. In fact, a prenup can apply throughout the marriage, providing a framework for how separate and marital assets are owned and managed.

A Prenuptial Agreement is Recommended When One or Both Partners:

  • Desire to keep income & finances separate; 
  • Hold significant personal assets or debt;
  • Expect inheritance or family gifts in the future;
  • Own a business or will own a family business in the future; or
  • Have children from a prior relationship and wish to keep separate inheritances.

Postnuptial Agreements

If a couple marries before signing a prenup but wants some of the protections of a prenup, a postnuptial agreement may be an option. 

If you and your partner are considering a prenup and have not yet married, it is advised to start with a prenup. This is because some of the benefits of a prenup are lost when assets are combined. 

Estate Planning for Married Couples

Congratulations on your marriage. Now that you’ve tied the knot, your estate plans should be updated to reflect your union. 

 

 The educational material in this website was developed for Virginia residents, is not necessarily valid in any other state, and is intended for educational purposes. It is not intended to provide specific legal advice to any individual, couple, family or other entity. If you live in a state other than Virginia and have questions about estate planning topics, please contact an estate planning professional in your area.

©Copyright. All rights reserved.

Information icon

We need your consent to load the translations

We use a third-party service to translate the website content that may collect data about your activity. Please review the details in the privacy policy and accept the service to view the translations.