Financial circumstances and preferences will change over the years. If you and your spouse regret not signing a prenuptial agreement or need to make updates, a Gastonia postnuptial agreements lawyer could help. Postnuptial agreements are signed during marriage and are a good way to account for new assets and other changes. Your dedicated marital agreements attorney could discuss your situation and your goals for the agreement and help you craft the right document for your family.
A postnuptial agreement is very similar to a prenuptial agreement except that is it signed after marriage instead of before. It can outline how property will be divided between the spouses in case of a divorce and decide whether the higher-earning spouse will pay alimony to the other spouse. Postnuptial agreements can be useful in several cases, especially when there have been significant changes in the couple’s financial situation. For example, one spouse may have started a successful business they want to protect, one spouse may have decided to become a stay-at-home parent, or someone may have received an unexpected inheritance. Writing and signing a postnuptial agreement lets the spouses decide how they will treat new assets or debts. If they already have a prenuptial agreement, the new agreement can modify and update it.
Postnuptial agreements are a great tool in a strong marriage with new financial concerns, but they can also be used when a couple is considering divorce. If the spouses are dealing with serious conflicts and are unsure whether they will be able to reconcile, they can consider a postnuptial agreement to plan for the financial aspects of their potential separation. Like with prenuptial agreements, couples cannot make decisions about child support or child custody schedules in a postnuptial agreement. These need to be decided based on what is best for the child or children at the time of the separation. A knowledgeable Gastonia postnuptial agreements attorney can help ensure the agreement is clear, enforceable, and tailored to your specific situation.
While a postnuptial agreement needs to be notarized to be valid, couples are not required to have lawyers involved. However, legal representation will ensure that the agreement is written correctly and will be enforceable if the couple divorces. Even if there is no conflict, each person should have their own lawyer. This is the best way to make sure the agreement is fair. For example, if one partner is more likely to agree to anything to avoid a potential argument, their lawyer can advocate for their individual interests. If there are any disagreements, the lawyers can negotiate instead of the couple directly, which helps keep emotions out of the conversation. A couple usually will not know how to translate their goals for the agreement into enforceable legal language. A Gastonia postnup agreement lawyer could help with this.
Although less well-known than prenuptial agreements, postnuptial agreements offer a strong option for couples who either regret not signing a prenup or have experienced significant financial changes. Whether your marriage remains stable or you want to prepare for the possibility of divorce, a postnuptial agreement can protect your individual assets. A Gastonia postnuptial agreements lawyer can help you draft an agreement that meets legal standards, reflects your intentions, and supports your long-term goals. Schedule a consultation with the Law Offices of Regina M. Taylor today.
