Do You Need a Prenup Lawyer?

You’re in love. You’ve found The One. And now, the two of you have decided to make it official, and spend the rest of your lives together. Congratulations! This is a beautiful, amazing time in your lives. Now, let’s make it totally un-romantic and talk about the nitty gritty details: the prenuptial agreement. You may not want to admit it, but a prenup is just common sense. It can be hard to get yourself to bother with it, since it seems like you’re expecting the marriage to fail. Kind of takes the whirlwind love out of things, doesn’t it? But that just isn’t the case these days. Signing a prenup doesn’t mean you think your marriage will fail, or that you’re in it for the wrong reasons, or any of those unfortunate misconceptions. Unfortunately, though, things happen, and as in any case, it’s always best to protect yourself. You know it’s smart to have a life insurance policy, but that doesn’t mean you expect to die soon, does it? It’s the same train of though.

What is a Prenuptial Agreement Lawyer?

A prenuptial agreement, or premarital agreement, is a legal matter, so lawyers are basically a necessity. And not just one, but two. You and your fiance should each have a lawyer. This way both of your needs and rights get equal protection and attention, plus the judge will acknowledge the soundness and validity of your agreement if you are both represented. As soon as you begin working on a prenup, start looking for lawyers. Look for lawyers who specialize in prenuptial agreements – they will probably specialize in marriage/divorce law in general, with strong experience in prenups. Talk to a few lawyers so you can feel confident you have chosen the most knowledgeable, experienced lawyer possible. You want someone who will take your rights and draft them into the agreement so they are guaranteed protection.

Just because you will begin the search for and retain a lawyer early on doesn’t mean you should immediately start telling him what to draft up as your part of the agreement. The prenup is an important decision process between you and your fiance. It is your marriage, your finances, your business. Tension may arise between you two if you immediately begin working with your lawyers instead of working with just each other first. Prenuptial Agreement Lawyers advise you to lay out your needs, what you feel entitled to, what you agree on, etc. Outline the agreement together first, then take it to your lawyers. Once you all decide on a final draft, the lawyers will then begin their drafts.

Who should use a Prenuptial Agreement Lawyer?

Again, remember that a prenup is not a sign you are unsure of your upcoming marriage, or that you feel you need to arm yourself against your future Mr. or Mrs. It is just a smart move just in case. You should always protect yourself, so that in the worst case scenario, you are covered.

That said, if you don’t really have any assets, maybe there is still a decision to be made as to whether you should have one. A prenup is still an option in this case, as you may acquire assets over the course of the marriage. Material is out there for you and your fiance to read to build a case for either option, prenup or no prenup, according to Nolo.com, an online legal resource. Once you decide to go for a prenup, start talking to lawyers. If you get a head start and give yourself time, this can be a stress-free process.

What are the benefits of a Prenuptial Agreement Lawyer?

While you could study up and learn a bunch of legalese, you do have a life. All you should have to worry about is what you want outlined in the prenup, and your lawyer should handle the rest. Your lawyer should be your guide, explain every term, decision, and step to you, and should handle all the legalities of the issue, such as presentation to a judge. Speaking of which, a prenup holds a lot more weight to a judge when represented by a lawyer for each side. It makes the agreement much more secure and sound.

What are the risks?

Really, the only risks for retaining a prenup lawyer are the same risks that come with hiring any other type of lawyer – disappointment in the job done, confusion, lack of communication, high price tag and unexpected at that. Remember, all of this can be avoided by researching and meeting with a few lawyers first.

Bottom line

If you’re getting married, don’t be afraid to come together in a wise decision with your soon-to-be. Lawyers can take what you want and turn it into the fineprint-laden agreement that will protect you and lift that weight off of your shoulders for years to come.