It is never a subject happily or eagerly broached by a soon-to-be-married couple, but considering a prenuptial agreement can lead to some smart and preventive decision making. Planning for the event of divorce is certainly not at the forefront of a happily engaged individual’s mind. It’s an even harder subject to discuss out loud with one’s soon-to-be-spouse. Yet learning how to have the conversation can allow from some easy planning that could avoid months of hardship and struggle years later.
A prenuptial agreement is a contract between a couple that sets out certain terms in the event of divorce. While Illinois lovebirds may find it difficult to consider such a result when planning for the marriage, it is a smart planning tool available in the event the worst occurs.
While the state of Illinois implements a number of laws that are meant to help guide a separating couple during the divorce process, coming to agreement on difficult questions surrounding separation during a likely contentious divorce process is a truly difficult hurdle to surmount.
It’s most often much easier for a couple to agree on complicated questions about property division, child custody and alimony when they are in love and only want to best for one another. If a couple waits to discuss these issues while enduring the painful emotional struggle of divorce, they often only encounter argument and contention.
A prenuptial agreement allows a couple to decide how property will be divided if a divorce does occur. The couple can designate distribution of marital assets, business assets and even assets not yet obtained.
While not an easy discussion to start, creating a prenuptial agreement can be a relatively pain-free process with the guidance of able and knowledgeable legal counsel. It could be the key to saving months of a drawn out and expensive divorce later.
Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch, “Plan your divorce before your wedding,” Jim Gallagher, Feb. 23, 2014.