The Benefits of a Prenuptial Agreement

Before you tie the knot, you and your spouse may consider signing a prenuptial agreement. While no one likes to think about the end of a marriage before it begins, a prenup can protect you and your spouse if the unthinkable happens.

A prenuptial agreement is essentially a contract, where soon-to-be spouses agree on how to split their debts and assets if the marriage ever ends. A prenup can protect one spouse from assuming the other spouse’s debts upon divorce, as well as make sure that you can leave the marriage with the same assets you brought into the marriage. A prenup can also save you time and money during the divorce process, as the most complicated part of a divorce is often the property division process. If you are already married, you and your spouse can enter into a postnuptial agreement.

As you come up with your prenup, you will need to make sure that the terms are fair and clear with regards to who gets what in the event of divorce. If your agreement lacks sufficient detail, fails to meet Washington state requirements, or appears to take advantage of one party, the court may decide that your prenup is unenforceable and choose to set it aside.

While you and your spouse can draft your own prenuptial agreement, it may be in your best interest to at least have it reviewed by a divorce attorney in the Spokane area. Your attorney can ensure that the agreement meets all state law requirements and make sure that your interests are protected. Your spouse should also have his or her attorney review the agreement to protect their interests as well.