Prenuptial agreements, or prenups, offer valuable protection, particularly for those with substantial assets or children from previous relationships. These agreements are essential for safeguarding your interests in the unfortunate event of a divorce. They serve as a prudent approach to risk management, encompassing critical discussions that should naturally occur between you and your fiancé or fiancée.
In Arizona, the enforceability of a prenup hinges on specific legal requirements. It must be a written document, duly signed by both parties. However, enforceability extends beyond these basics, as the agreement must circumvent several legal pitfalls.
These include issues of voluntariness, where enforceability is questionable if a party felt coerced or pressured into signing, especially under circumstances like unequal legal representation or signing under time constraints before the wedding.
Additionally, a prenup may be deemed unenforceable if it’s unconscionable or severely one-sided, particularly if there was an absence of fair and reasonable disclosure of each party’s financial obligations and properties, or if one party lacked and couldn’t reasonably acquire knowledge of the other’s financial situation.
While prenups can limit or eliminate spousal support, enforceability can be challenged if it leads to one party needing public assistance post-divorce. In such cases, courts may override the prenup to award spousal support.
If you’re considering a prenup, begin by openly discussing finances and expectations with your fiancé or fiancée. Following a mutual understanding, consulting an experienced family law attorney is crucial to create a prenup tailored to your unique situation.
Let’s picture a scenario where a soon to be married couple creates a prenuptial agreement. Say they drafted it themselves, or worse yet, say that one party was unduly influenced to agree to whatever was on the document. If the couple divorces, there are certain factors that can cause a prenup to be invalid. If one spouse wishes to challenge a prenuptial agreement, the agreement would have to have been made under undue influence, they could argue the agreement is unconscionable, or that one spouse failed to disclose certain information.
In the event of a divorce, one spouse might contest the prenuptial agreement’s legitimacy. During such challenges, the court scrutinizes both the document and the context of its signing. Should the judge find any irregularities, the prenup could be invalidated. Consequently, the divorce would proceed without the prenup’s guidance on asset division, alimony, and related matters.
Choosing the right family law attorney is crucial, especially when navigating the complexities of prenuptial agreements in divorce proceedings. Give our team a call to get started.
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