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What is a prenuptial agreement, and how is it used wisely in your divorce?

What is a prenuptial agreement, and how is it used wisely in your divorce?

  • February 26th, 2021
  • Miranda Fields
  • Comments Off on What is a prenuptial agreement, and how is it used wisely in your divorce?

What is a prenuptial agreement?

A prenuptial agreement, also called a premarital agreement (or sometimes, “Prenup”), simply put, is an agreement that establishes financial terms for the marriage. 

Premarital agreements typically identify all the assets each future spouse owns and specify their rights should the marriage end due to divorce or death. In Texas, money made during the marriage, regardless of “breadwinner” status, is considered community property. In the event a divorce occurs, in the absence of a premarital agreement, assets accrued during the marriage are split 50-50, or sometimes a different percentage, but that is determined by the court as what is right and just. 

The prenup is generally designed to protect what a person brings to the marriage—for example, real property, savings, businesses, personal property, etc. When determining if a premarital agreement is needed, it’s crucial to think about and ask the following questions of yourself and your future spouse: 

  • Do either of us have significant assets that need to be protected? (previous earnings, real property, inheritance) 
  • Do either of us bring significant debt to the marriage? 
  • Do either of us have children from a previous marriage or relationship? 

Generally, both parties retain their own attorney, list all assets and debts they have accrued before entering the marriage, and the attorneys then generate and review the agreement. Premarital agreements can be beneficial for both parties, and especially when children from a previous relationship are involved. Premarital agreements can provide a safety net should divorce or untimely death at some point become a reality. However, a child’s right to support may not be adversely affected by a premarital agreement.

It is against public policy for parents or future parents to make an agreement that circumvents a child’s right to child support.

-Miranda Fields

 Under the Texas Family Code, the agreement can be used to explicitly state how property will be divided if a separation, divorce, or death occurs. It can also address important topics such as mortgages, spousal support, how wills or trusts will be drafted, and distribution of life insurance policies. After marriage, a premarital agreement may be amended or revoked only by a written agreement signed by the parties. 

Un acuerdo prenupcial es un contrato que establece los términos económicos del matrimonio. 

Los acuerdos prenupciales típicamente identifican todos los bienes que cada futuro cónyuge tiene y especifica los derechos de cada uno si el matrimonio termina por divorcio o muerte.  En Texas, dinero obtenido durante el matrimonio, independiente de quien paga los gastos del hogar, es propiedad comunitaria.  En caso de divorcio, sin un acuerdo prenupcial, los bienes acumulados durante el matrimonio se dividen 50-50, o un porciento diferente si la corte determina es justo y debido.  

El acuerdo prenupcial generalmente está diseñado para proteger lo que una persona trae a la unión de matrimonio, por ejemplo, bienes raíces, ahorros, negocios, etc. Para determinar si un acuerdo es necesario, es crítico pensar y hacerse las siguientes preguntas:  

  • ¿Uno de nosotros tiene bienes que proteger? (dinero, bienes raíces, o herencia) 
  • ¿Uno de nosotros tiene muchas deudas? 
  • ¿Uno de nosotros tiene niños de una relación previa? 

Generalmente, ambas personas tienen su propio abogado, enumeran todos los bienes y deudas incurridos antes del matrimonio, y los abogados revisan el acuerdo.  Los acuerdos prenupciales pueden beneficiar a ambos, y específicamente cuando hay niños de relaciones previas, para proveer seguridad en caso de divorcio o fallecimiento.  De cualquier manera, un contrato prenupcial no afecta el derecho a pagar o recibir manutención. 

Bajo el Código Familiar de Texas, el acuerdo se puede usar para delinear explícitamente como se dividirá la propiedad en caso de divorcio o muerte.  También puede usarse para tratar hipotecas, mantenimiento conyugal, como se preparan testamentos o fideicomisos, y la distribución de pólizas de seguro de vida.  Después del matrimonio, un acuerdo prenupcial se puede modificar o revocar solamente por acuerdo escrito firmado por ambos. 

La traducción: Gilberto Solano

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