A prenuptial agreement is a legal contract signed by a couple before their marriage to determine the distribution of assets and allocation and duration of spousal support in case of a divorce. It is created by many couples to have a clear understanding of their finances and prevents an expensive and tedious divorce procedure.
However, drafting your prenuptial agreement without the relevant legal knowledge and experience can be challenging. A family lawyer in Ridgeland helps you understand the terms in detail before the contract and make wise decisions for your future.
In what ways can your lawyer help?
- They help determine whether it is right for you.
A prenup can help prevent court interference in your divorce or estate plan, and it allows you to exercise your own decisions. It documents any decisions made by you and your spouse and implements them in the future if the situation rises without any conflicts or excess expenditure. Every couple has unique reasons for entering into a prenuptial agreement, and a lawyer assesses your case carefully to determine whether it is truly beneficial for you.
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Ensures it is legally valid.
If your prenuptial agreement is drafted incorrectly, it will be deemed invalid and cannot be executed. Without a lawyer’s expertise, you may be unaware of the laws that make your prenup invalid and realize when it’s unenforceable. Some common reasons as to why a prenup can be invalid include an oral agreement, it was not signed before marriage, one party was coerced, information was misrepresented or incomplete, and the provisions had non-monetary matters.
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They help you understand.
Although you may have had a proper discussion with your spouse and decided what needs to be included in the agreement, you may be unsure about how the laws in your state would affect your case or the long-term effect of a particular clause in the draft. A lawyer helps answer all your questions and clears any doubts you may have to help you have complete information and a sense of clarity to make the right decisions.
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Avoid mistakes.
The legal procedure is complex and involves several legalities and requirements. You may make errors that negatively affect your case, and your lawyer carefully reviews your prenuptial agreement and other relevant paperwork to ensure that it is free from mistakes. They help you take precautions and follow the timeline of signing the prenup within the period required by your state.
An experienced lawyer can help draft a mutually beneficial prenuptial agreement that both parties are willing to sign to prevent any future disputes over the state of their finances. Their skills help you save cost and time over the long run.
