Oklahoma City AntPrenuptial Agreement Lawyers

A prenuptial, or antenuptial agreement, commonly abbreviated to prenup or prenupt, is a contract entered into prior to marriage by the parties who intend to marry one another. The content of an antenuptial agreement may vary widely, but commonly includes provisions for division of separate and marital property, separate and marital debt, and spousal support in the event of divorce or breakup of marriage. It may also include terms for the forfeiture of assets as a result of divorce on the grounds of adultery, misappropriation or other malfeasance by one of the parties.

We have the legal knowledge and experience you need to feel confident in the decisions you make for your future. To talk to an Oklahoma City prenuptial agreement attorney with experience as a divorce attorney, contact our family law firm.

Sometimes we hear clients say that prenupts are only for the wealthy. We disagree. A properly drafted prenuptial agreement can be as important to the average person as they are to a couple who has a multi-million dollar marital estate.

Contact Self Legal Group, PLLC today to get started with our Oklahoma City antenuptial & prenuptial agreement lawyers.

Estate Planning and Prenuptial Agreements

Antenuptial agreements are also useful for estate planning purposes. It is usually advisable to prepare both, an antenuptial agreement and a corresponding will, trust or other estate plan that complements the antenuptial agreement.

From a purely legal perspective, marriage is a business, much like a general partnership. Each partner comes into the marriage with certain assets, debts and responsibilities. They build a life together, acquire assets and debts together and share the rewards together. They often also have children together. Accordingly, from the spouses’ perspectives, marriage involves much more than just the legal business end of the transaction. Strong emotional connections, deep feelings and commitments cannot be treated as a cold, hard business transaction.

What Are the Benefits of Antenuptial and Prenuptial Agreements?

• Protecting Personal Assets: One of the immediate reasons couples opt for antenuptial or prenuptial agreements is asset protection. If one or both parties have significant assets, such as real estate, investments, or family inheritances, a prenup can define who retains ownership of these assets. Without a prenup, these assets could be subject to division under Oklahoma’s equitable distribution laws in the event of divorce.
• Clarifying Financial Rights and Responsibilities: A prenuptial agreement allows couples to clearly define their financial roles and responsibilities during marriage. This could include specifying who is responsible for paying certain debts, how living expenses will be managed, and whether any financial support will be provided if one spouse chooses to leave the workforce to raise children. Clear expectations reduce the potential for future financial disagreements and ensure both parties are on the same page.
• Avoiding Costly and Lengthy Legal Disputes: In the unfortunate event of a divorce, the absence of a prenup can lead to lengthy and costly legal battles over property division, spousal support, and more. With an antenuptial or prenuptial agreement, many of these issues are predetermined, streamlining the divorce process and minimizing the potential for conflict.
• Protecting Family-Owned Businesses: If you or your spouse-to-be owns a family business, a prenuptial agreement can safeguard the business from potential disputes. The agreement can specify that the business remains the sole property of its original owner, ensuring its continued operation without the risk of shared ownership or forced sale in the event of divorce.
• Providing for Children from Previous Relationships: For individuals entering a second marriage or who have children from previous relationships, a prenuptial agreement can help ensure that their children’s financial interests are protected. This can include preserving certain assets for the children, ensuring they receive a portion of the inheritance, or safeguarding other financial arrangements.
• Addressing Debt Concerns: Another important benefit of a prenuptial agreement is the capacity to protect each party from the other’s debts. Whether it’s student loans, credit card debt, or business liabilities, a prenup can ensure that neither spouse is held responsible for debts that do not belong to them.
• Offering Peace of Mind: While no one enters a marriage expecting it to fail, having an antenuptial or prenuptial agreement in place offers peace of mind. Both parties can enter the marriage knowing that their financial rights are protected and that their future is secure, regardless of what happens down the line.

How Our Antenuptial & Prenuptial Agreement Attorney Can Help You

Here’s how we can assist you:

• Tailored Legal Advice: Every couple’s financial situation is unique, and a prenuptial agreement should reflect that. We work closely with our clients to understand their individual concerns and financial goals, ensuring that the agreement we draft is customized to protect their specific interests. Whether you need to protect substantial assets, business interests, or personal savings, we can provide tailored advice.
• Drafting and Reviewing Prenuptial Agreements: We have extensive experience in drafting prenuptial agreements that meet legal standards and withstand scrutiny. We ensure that all necessary terms are clearly defined and that the agreement is legally enforceable under Oklahoma law. If you’ve already been presented with a prenuptial agreement by your partner, we can review the document on your behalf, explain the implications of its terms, and suggest any necessary revisions.
• Negotiating Terms: In some cases, negotiating the terms of a prenuptial agreement can be a complex and emotional process. We can serve as your advocate throughout these negotiations, helping to facilitate constructive discussions and ensuring that your rights and interests are protected.
• Ensuring Legal Compliance: For a prenuptial agreement to be valid, certain legal requirements must be met. Both parties must fully disclose their financial information, and the agreement must be entered into voluntarily, without duress or coercion. We will ensure that your prenuptial agreement complies with Oklahoma’s legal standards and that all required steps are taken to ensure its enforceability.
• Amending Existing Prenuptial Agreements: Life circumstances can change after marriage, and sometimes a prenuptial agreement may need to be modified to reflect these changes. If you need to update your agreement, we can assist with amending the document while ensuring it remains legally binding.

Contact Us Today

It is important when considering an antenuptial agreement to realize that emotional issues will arise. Let the caring prenuptial and divorce attorneys at The Self Legal Group, PLLC develop a customized antenuptial agreement based on your specific needs.

Contact an Oklahoma antenuptial agreement lawyer to discuss your case. Together we will work toward a solution. Credit cards are accepted.