Gibbons Law Firm: Prenuptial Agreement

Thursday, October 4, 2018

Top 7 Reasons to Consider a Prenup

Are you recently engaged or thinking of popping the question in the near future? While this is an exciting time, it's important to plan ahead for your future together. As you and your soon-to-be spouse prepare for your big day, you can easily get caught up in the hustle and bustle of wedding planning. As an experienced lawyer at the Lake of the Ozarks, we know how important it is to think beyond your wedding day. Signing a prenuptial agreement may seem like a tough subject to bring up but it's an important discussion that needs to take place before the big day is here. If you are wanting your spouse to sign a prenup, bring it up right away. Be upfront about your feelings and don't wait until the last minute to spring the news on your future spouse. If you're debating signing a prenuptial agreement, take a look below for some of the clear reasons why you should!

Reason #1 - The rate of divorce.

Almost half of all marriages end in a divorce. This fact is astonishing to many and can make you nervous for the future. While you're entering into a marriage, you don't plan on getting a divorce - it can still happen. Feelings change, people change, and situations change in which you may not feel like you once did and wish to lead separate lives.

Reason #2 - Significant financial difference.

If one of you make a significantly higher income, it's a good idea to protect your assets with a prenup. Whether it's a high paying position at work or a wealthy family, you and your future spouse should sign documentation to decide what will happen in the future, if there is a problem with the marriage.

Reason #3 - Previous divorces or children.

If you have a history of divorce, you know how hard the process is. Also if you or your spouse have children from outside the marriage, it's a good idea to have a plan as to what will happen if the marriage doesn't work out. Try outline a plan ahead of time, should the marriage dissolve. This can help alleviate a big headache down the road if you have already worked out an agreement.

Reason #4 - Business ownership.

If you or your significant other owns a business, a prenuptial agreement can help protect that venture, should the marriage end. If the business owner has partners, they may insist on a prenup being signed to help better protect the business. While getting married is an important life decision, you still need to look out for your business and other assets in the process.

Reason #5 - Unpredictable Future

The future is unknown. While no one plans on getting a divorce while they enter into a new marriage, the truth is that it does happen. Since there is no way to predict the future, it's best to legally protect yourself and your assets with a prenup before saying "I do".

Reason #6 - Make things easier down the road.

Signing a prenuptial agreement can help create a plan as to what happens to the assets of each individual in the marriage. This can come in very handy if the marriage does end. This plan can easily be executed and creates a less-stressful divorce process if it comes down to that.

Reason #7 - Plan to stop working.

If you or your spouse plan to stop working once you get married, a prenuptial agreement is a good idea. It can help protect the asssets of both parties. Whether you both decide it's best for one of you to stay home with the kids or are in a good financial position to have one income, it's important to sign an agreement to help protect the income and exisiting assets of everyone involved.

Now that you know some of the reasons why you should sign a prenup before you get married, you're ready to have that discussion with your soon-to-be spouse. Establishing a prenuptial agreement near the Lake of the Ozarks is in no way planning on getting a divorce before you even get married - it's an important document to help protect you and your future spouse's assets and plan for the unpredictable future. If you're wanting a prenup drafted, contact Gibbons Law Firm today. Our Lake of the Ozarks attorney can easily assist in your prenuptial agreement and ensure all the legal aspects are documented accurately.

Remember, your initial consultation with Gibbons Law Firm is always free.

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Gibbons Law Firm

2820 Bagnell Dam Blvd, Suite B4

Lake Ozark, MO 65049

(573) 348-2211

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Friday, March 9, 2018

Reasons to Sign a Prenuptial Agreement

Marriage is an exciting time for many couples. It's a legal contract between two parties, creating a union of the two. While there are many tasks to be completed when planning a wedding, a prenuptial agreement may be far from your list of things to do - but it shouldn't be. A prenup - or prenuptial agreement - addresses the financial situation should the marriage dissolve. It's not a fun thing to think or talk about as your marriage is just getting started - but it is a helpful document, should you need it. Our Lake of the Ozarks law firm can help you and your future spouse put together a prenup so you can move forward with confidence. Take a look below to learn just a few of the reasons why a prenuptial agreement may be right for you and your marriage circumstances.

One of you has more money.

If you or your partner has substantially more money than the other, a prenup can help to protect your assets. This can also help ensure that someone is not marrying you for your money, and for who you are. It's important to protect your assets when you enter into a marriage.

Your or your spouse plan to stop working.

If you plan to quit your job to start raising children, it can impact your income in a major way. A prenup can help to ensure that the financial burden of raising the children is shared fairly by both partners.

Someone has a substantial amount of debt.

When you marry someone, you can be partially responsible for their financial debt. If your marriage ends, you may be stuck with part of this debt load, even if you did not help accrue it. A prenup can help to make sure you are not burdened with debt that is not yours.

The divorce rate.

About half of all marriages end up in divorce. This is a staggering statistic and it's best to be prepared for the future. A prenuptial agreement can help to protect you and your assets, as well as your spouses', should your marriage end in divorce.

You are a business owner.

Your ex-spouse could end up owning part of your business if a prenup is not signed when you get married. Help to protect your business and help to prevent a spouse from becoming a part owner in your business.

This is the second marriage.

Children, support obligations, and a home with a previous spouse can all affect your second marriage. It's important to protect your assets and help to make sure your financial burdens stay your own if your next marriage does not work out.

Help avoid a stressful situation if you do divorce.

A prenup can have all assets, debts, and other factors split up before you even enter into marriage. This can help to fairly disperse all belongings and make the divorce process less-stressful.

It's a smart move.

To best protect you and your spouses' assets, a prenuptial agreement is the way to go. For a financially smart move, consider having you and your partner both sign a prenup, before you get married.

Now that you've learned about some of the reasons why a prenuptial agreement may be right for you and your future spouse, you are ready to take action. If you want to put together a prenup, it's important to discuss this with your soon-to-be husband or wife. Don't spring it on them at the last minute. Have an open and honest discussion about the reasoning behind your wish to sign a prenup. This can help to show why this can be of benefit to both parties and get you both on board for the agreement. If you are ready to get a prenup put together, contact Gibbons Law Firm today. We can help put together an agreement for you and your future spouse. Remember, your first consultation with our family lawyer at the Lake of the Ozarks is always FREE!

Remember, your initial consultation with Gibbons Law Firm is always free.