Most people marry for love, but a successful marriage still requires a lot of work and compromise. Outside struggles can impact a marriage’s health, and sometimes, even the most devoted partner cannot save it without the other’s help.
Even when a marriage is solid, a couple may find themselves in a dramatically different scenario than when they married. A change in circumstances may make the division of assets under the law or any prenuptial agreements no longer fair or equitable to both parties. When the circumstances of your marriage change, a Piscataway postnuptial agreements lawyer can help you navigate those changes. Jennifer Marshall is an experienced marital agreements attorney who understands the challenges you are going through.
One of the best reasons to get a postnuptial agreement is to protect a spouse after the partners’ plans change. For example, many people get married and plan for both spouses to work after they have children. However, they get overwhelmed by the cost of childcare and the stress. As a result, they choose one partner to stay home with the children.
That partner misses out on current earning opportunities and will have a more difficult time getting employment and a lower starting wage than they would have had if they had worked during that time. A post-nuptial agreement can shift the distribution of property in the case of divorce, allowing a parent to stay home with the children without jeopardizing their financial future. A Piscataway postnuptial agreements attorney can help partners find an equitable solution that addresses a change in circumstances.
In some instances, a couple may want to divorce. Infidelity, domestic violence, and substance abuse can leave one partner feeling particularly vulnerable in a marriage. A post-nuptial agreement could protect the vulnerable partner in this scenario. When one partner asks the other to stay, they may be willing to do so but want some protection for the investment of their time. They may also fear the divorce process.
People do not discuss financial infidelity, but it is a more common problem than people realize. One partner may secretly take out credit cards, spend the couple’s money, or go into debt from gambling. The other partner may agree to stay, but only if the person who accrued the debt agrees to take full responsibility if they divorce.
A postnuptial agreement allows the parties to work out issues that couples would normally resolve in a court agreement. However, it has some limitations. For example, a court will still consider a child’s best interests for custody and child support obligations. Still, it can deal with most of the contentious items beforehand.
Postnuptial agreements can be essential when one spouse wants to end the marriage. If they decide to leave, their partner may become vindictive in the divorce proceeding. Working out issues like finance and division of assets while still working on the marriage puts them in a much better position if they divorce. A postnuptial agreements attorney in Piscataway can represent one of the parties and negotiate to protect them in the event of divorce.
An inheritance is a separate property, so people do not need any agreement to protect inheritance assets. However, the moment someone combines inheritance money with other assets, it becomes challenging to trace the money from an inheritance. Inheriting a significant amount can lead to lifestyle changes that the spouse who did not inherit cannot support after divorce.
A lawyer can help protect assets or the non-heir spouse after an inheritance. They can specify dollar amounts, accounts, or specific assets for each party. The result is that people remain protected, even if they mingle assets.
Postnuptial agreements can be powerful tools for people who are struggling in their marriages or contemplating divorce. They can be equally helpful for people with changing life circumstances who want reassurance. An agreement can set up a framework for a marriage, outline expectations, and set up property distribution in the event of a divorce.
You should consider a postnuptial agreement even if you have a healthy relationship, because it can protect both partners. In fact, inequitable agreements that take advantage of one partner can be unenforceable. Contact a Piscataway postnuptial agreements lawyer and take the first step to restoring a marriage, preparing for divorce, or planning for the unknown.