On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in Family Law on Thursday, October 26, 2017.
After the venue is booked, dress bought and reception is planned, most engaged couples feel like it is time for them to sit back and wait for the big day. Before propping up your feet and relaxing, you and your fiance should take one more thing into consideration — a prenuptial agreement. While not what most people in Missouri have on their mind when leading up to their big day, a prenup provides invaluable protections for everyone involved.
Misconceptions about prenuptial agreements abound, but at its most basic the agreement is simply about protecting personal property in the event of a divorce. While virtually no one marries with the intent of divorcing, the reality is that marriages can and do end regardless of each partner’s original intentions. It is understandable that people would want protection during this process.
Prenuptials are more than just a list of each person’s property. These agreements are binding legal documents that provide guidance regarding a number of issues, including asset division, spousal maintenance and respective debts. Simply signing such a document does not necessarily guarantee that it will be enforceable either, as other criteria must also be met.
Preparing for a wedding can be a stressful time in a person’s life, but so can divorce. Couples can make the latter proceed much more smoothly by taking the time to carefully construct a mutually agreeable prenuptial agreement. However, Missouri courts impose a high standard on these types of agreements, which require expert guidance when drafting and signing prenups.
