Prenuptial Agreement
PRENUPTIAL AGREEMENT IN BC
A prenuptial agreement is a legally binding contract created by two people before they get married. This legal agreement allows couples to settle upon the terms as to how they wish to divide their assets, liabilities, and support obligations if they divorce in the future.
Valerie M. Little can help you create a prenuptial agreement that respects your rights and interests. Contact Valerie today for an initial consultation. Her firm is located in New Westminster and serves clients in the surrounding communities.
Prenup - A Sensitive Topic
It can be challenging to approach the subject of getting a prenuptial agreement with your future spouse. It is a sensitive topic that many couples do not want to discuss before the wedding date. However, creating a prenuptial agreement can help create transparency, build trust and settle expectations on dealing with your property and assets and income stream if you ever divorce. Moreover, a well-written prenuptial agreement can help prevent disputes if you separate.
When you work with Valerie M. Little, she will listen to your goals and objectives. She has the experience to draft a comprehensive agreement that is clear and easy to understand and reflects your wishes.
The Benefits of a Prenuptial Agreement in British Columbia
Prenuptial agreements can bring many immediate and long-term advantages to you and your future spouse. They play a fundamental role in protecting the interests of both parties and preventing legal disputes in case of divorce. Some of the benefits of having a prenuptial agreement include, but are not limited to:
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Providing Financial Clarity and Transparency
One of the most valuable benefits that a prenuptial agreement can bring to couples is providing clarity, transparency and honesty regarding the financial situation of both parties. This is important as, in many cases, individuals getting married are not fully aware of all the assets, investments or debts of their partners before marriage. A prenuptial agreement can help you discuss with your future spouse how assets are going to be divided, which leads to an open discussion regarding the financial situation of both parties involved. This can provide peace of mind for the couple and create an even stronger bond based on trust and transparency.
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Ensuring Financial Stability for Both Parties
In many cases, individuals getting married come from different backgrounds, often facing drastically different financial situations. A prenup agreement in BC can, for instance, guarantee a financially stable future for the less wealthy spouse. This is fundamental when one of the spouses sacrifices their professional growth to dedicate time to home and child care. In this scenario, clauses can be added to define the eventual financial support of the wealthier spouse in case of marriage dissolution.
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Protecting Both Parties from Debt
Apart from defining and protecting property, a prenuptial agreement can also protect individuals being married from each other’s debts. A well planned and written agreement can help you define which debts are considered joint, where both parties are financially responsible for the debt, and which are considered individual. This can prevent you or your partner from assuming responsibility for something you were not involved before the marriage, ensuring fair and transparent resolution for both parties in case of divorce.
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Avoiding Stressful and Lengthy Legal Disputes
In many cases, marriage dissolutions bring great emotional consequences for not only the couple involved but also the children and other family members. A well-written prenuptial agreement can avoid lengthy legal disputes that often result in additional costs and psychological stress for both parties. This is because the agreement establishes the division of property, debts and assets of both parties before the marriage.
The Importance of Experienced Legal Advice
You do not need a lawyer to draft a prenuptial agreement. However, if you create a DIY prenup, you risk having the agreement challenged in court. This could result in lengthy court proceedings and be expensive. If you fail to consult a family law lawyer, you may miss critical details that could prevent your prenuptial from being enforceable.
Valerie has over 25 years of experience in family law. She will ensure your agreement is fair and comprehensive and will utilize her expertise to draft an agreement that will likely withstand future judicial scrutiny. She has only had one agreement challenged in court to date throughout her career, and the presiding judge upheld the agreement. She will walk you through the entire process of creating a prenuptial agreement to ensure you understand your rights and obligations.
Moreover, Valerie can help you make changes to your prenuptial agreement in the future. If you want to create an amendment to your prenuptial agreement, Valerie can draft the amending document.
Prenuptial Marriage Agreements for Couples in the Lower Mainland
One important decision you will make in your life is to get married. If you decide to sign a prenuptial agreement, it will help settle financial matters and support obligations if your marriage ends.
Valerie M. Little has many years of experience drafting a prenuptial agreement that protects your interests.
No matter how big or small your estate, Valerie will work with you and your partner to create a contract that makes sense for you.
Valerie M. Little Law Corporation is a family law firm that is centrally located in New Westminster and serves the surrounding areas of Burnaby, Maple Ridge, Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Vancouver, North Vancouver, West Vancouver, Port Moody, Richmond, Surrey, Cloverdale, Delta, and Langley. To schedule your confidential appointment, call 604-526-3333 or email us.