Postnuptial Agreement Lawyer in Texas
While celebrating your new marriage, the future is undoubtedly on your mind. You’re excited about the journey ahead, envisioning shared goals and accomplishments. However, amidst the joy, it’s important to consider all possibilities, including the unforeseen. A postnuptial agreement lawyer in Texas can help you navigate these discussions and create a plan, ensuring your assets are protected if, unfortunately, the marriage dissolves. While divorce may seem like a distant thought, planning for any eventuality brings peace of mind and allows you to focus on building a strong foundation for your future together.
Although it may be bothersome to contemplate your marriage will come to an end. Whether that end comes in the form of annulment, divorce, or death- your marriage cannot last forever. In the case of a divorce, many people in your shoes are caught flat-footed. You are cruising along in the relationship and the next thing you know your husband files for divorce. Completely out of the blue. No warning. What are you going to do?
This is what I mean by “being caught flat-footed.” Instead, choose to approach your marriage with an eye towards planning. A postnuptial agreement allows you to do just that. Accordingly, the Law Office of Bryan Fagan stands ready to help you in drafting and completing a post-nuptial agreement. Here is the essential information you need to know. Contact our office for a free-of-charge consultation with an experienced family law attorney.
The Difference Between a Prenuptial and Postnuptial agreement
Many of us have heard of a prenuptial agreement. A prenuptial agreement is an agreement entered into by two parties before their marriage. Prenuptial agreements are frequently the subject of news stories involving celebrity divorce cases. However, you do not need to be a celebrity to benefit from a premarital agreement. Any married person has the potential to gain a great deal from entering into a premarital agreement. However, it takes planning and forethought to achieve the maximum benefit possible.
A prenuptial property agreement is created before your marriage. There are very few differences between the two documents in a practical sense. Both relate mainly to the division of property upon divorce. The main difference is when the document is created. Creating a postnuptial agreement means that you may not have been ready to do so before your marriage. If you have questions about this, please contact the Law Office of Bryan Fagan. We can provide you with information geared towards helping you understand the timing of property agreements related to marriage.
Peace of mind is important in a marriage. Feeling like your property is attended to helps you to focus your attention on being a better spouse. Many people identify issues to negotiate before their marriage. If this is not your situation that is ok. As they say- the best time to deal with an issue was yesterday. The second-best time is right now.
The Purpose of a Postnuptial Property Agreement in Texas
Protecting property and assets is not selfish behavior. Rather, allocating property and assets within a postnuptial agreement may be an act of charity towards your spouse. Many people have the impression that a postnuptial agreement exists only to hide away property. Rather, postnuptial agreements exist to provide you with a plan. Planning on how to divide property is better than scrambling at the end of your marriage to do so.
Imagine the following situation. You are divorcing your spouse. The two of you have not spoken in weeks. You are living with your sister. Your husband is at home. Talking to him on the phone is difficult. You two have never been great at communication. The difficulties in your marriage have made it even tougher. Now your husband has filed for divorce. You were just served with the divorce papers. While you do not have any minor children at home you do have property.
What you are faced with now is the prospect of negotiating through property issues with a spouse who is not talking to you. Does not sound like fun. Additionally, this does not make for a great opportunity to negotiate on anything. Rather than place yourself in a situation like this, negotiating a postnuptial property agreement is much preferable. You tackle the issues of a divorce before the divorce begins. Approaching these topics with a spouse who is not upset with you helps a great deal.
Avoid Surprises with a Postnuptial Agreement
Surprises are fun when it comes to birthday parties. Otherwise, most of us would like to avoid surprises at all costs. This goes for surprises related to marital property. Marital property agreements (another term used for postnuptial agreements) tend to help avoid surprises. Specifically, when it comes to your property division postnuptial agreements help married people understand what happens in the event of a divorce. That way you do not have to fret about what a divorce has in store for you.
Typically, one of the great unknowns in a divorce is how the property is divided up. A great deal of time and money can be spent planning out this process within the divorce. However, when a postnuptial property agreement enters the equation that is a game changer. The agreement already contains a plan for dividing property and allocation of assets. This way you can focus on building a life post-divorce. The less time and money spent on complex issues during a stressful time is another added benefit.
How to Create a Valid Postnuptial Property Agreement in Texas?
Four criteria must be met for a postnuptial agreement to be enforceable. First, the document must be in writing. An oral contract between you and your spouse is invalid as far as a postnuptial agreement. Get the agreement down in writing for it to be considered valid. Working with an attorney is a great way to ensure this occurs. When both you and your spouse have attorneys, this helps ensure both of you have advice tailored to your circumstances, as well.
Both you and your spouse must agree voluntarily. The circumstances of your negotiations and drafting of the document are important. Appearing to strongarm or force your spouse to sign something puts its enforceability into jeopardy. Consider documenting your negotiations, if possible. Both spouses working with an experienced family law attorney helps, as well. This provides everyone with an opportunity to ask for advice and perspective on these important issues.
Disclosure of all Financial Information
One of the most important attributes of a good postnuptial agreement is the ability of both spouses to disclose all pertinent financial information. Coming forward and making known to your spouse all information regarding your finances is necessary. Hopefully, this was done before your marriage. Pre-marriage counseling involves this type of conversation. However, given that you are now married it is essential to come forward with financial disclosures. Assets, income, debt, and other elements of your financial profile need to be a part of this discussion.
There are no formal timelines to follow when drafting a postnuptial agreement. However, giving yourself and your spouse a plan to follow is sensible. For example, consider adding a deadline to turn over relevant financial information as part of your negotiations. This way you both are not putting this off until an undetermined date. Moving forward toward a resolution of this matter is ideal. Deadlines spur action and accountability.
The attorneys with the Law Office of Bryan Fagan possess the experience you need in negotiating a postnuptial property agreement. Our attorneys walk side by side with individuals and families in complicated situations every day. We know how tough a divorce is on families. With that in mind, we want to help you negotiate the best postnuptial agreement possible. Doing so helps to avoid the most unpleasant aspects of a divorce.
Focusing on Enforceability
Why draft a postnuptial agreement if it cannot protect you in the future? This is a reasonable question to ask. The reason why people like yourself negotiate postnuptial agreements is to protect themselves and their assets. A postnuptial agreement is not worth the paper it’s printed on if you cannot enforce the document. Until you go through a divorce the agreement provides you with peace of mind and not much else. Therefore, focusing on the enforceability of the document is a smart move to make.
Filing for divorce means taking your postnuptial agreement and attaching it as an exhibit. In an Original Petition for Divorce, you specify that marital property should be divided according to the terms of the postnuptial agreement. So long as your agreement is in writing, is free of duress, and proper disclosure of financial information was made the document should be enforceable. Following these steps provides you with an opportunity to move forward with confidence.
Ultimately, a family court judge will review the language in your postnuptial agreement for enforceability. Challenges to the enforceability of the agreement tend to revolve around a few circumstances. First, you and/or your spouse did not disclose all financial assets or debts during the negotiation. Your spouse producing evidence that you did not make known a large business debt is certainly relevant. Likewise, if the document is so unfair in dividing a particular asset that portion of the agreement may be unenforceable.
Having an Uncomfortable Conversation Now Rather Than in the Future
As experienced family law attorneys, the Law Office of Bryan Fagan knows a thing or two about uncomfortable conversations. These are part and parcel of the world of divorce. That does not mean that this sort of dialogue is not necessary or productive. Rather, in most divorces this kind of “hard talk” usually does need to occur. However, hard conversations need to be constructive to produce anything worthwhile. Having a hard conversation for its own sake is not a worthwhile goal.
Disagreements happen in negotiations for postnuptial agreements, too. We are not going to try and argue that negotiating a postnuptial agreement is easy. However, what our attorneys find to be true is that the negotiations in post-nuptial agreement settings tend to be more productive than in a divorce. This may relate to you and your spouse being on better terms early in your marriage than later during a divorce. Whatever the reason, constructive negotiations in any setting depend upon mutual respect.
Identify Potential Sources for Disagreement in Your Marriage
Every marriage has areas that are ripe for disagreement. Significant differences in your income levels are one of those areas. We see that spouses who earn dramatically different incomes tend to have different views on family finances. This translates into problems seeing eye to eye on how to divide marital property in the event of a divorce. Avoiding this type of situation is possible by negotiating a postnuptial agreement.
Without reservation, our attorneys recommend identifying these potential sources of disagreement. Negotiating a postnuptial property agreement means being honest with one another. Withholding information or documentation is a surefire way to have your postnuptial agreement voided.
Benefits to Your Marriage of a Postnuptial Agreement
Before we go any further, it bears mentioning that negotiating a post-nuptial agreement stands to improve your marriage. We have all heard the saying: an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Preventing future problems from occurring is an ideal scenario. In a divorce, you are dealing with problems that have become unsolvable within the marriage. For that reason, people seek divorce every day. However, a prenuptial agreement can prevent major issues from arising.
Communication is a critical aspect of marriage. Spouses who can talk through issues tend to do better in their relationship. If you and your spouse are considering a postnuptial agreement for financial reasons, then you are wise to do so. However, consider the benefits to your marriage of negotiating a postnuptial property agreement. By talking through the issues now you can identify what areas of your marriage are problematic.
From there, attending therapy, paying bills, and generally being more open with your finances become options. Letting these issues stagnate means that the emotions surrounding them do as well. Even if you were able to work through those issues on a practical level the emotions wouldn’t be so easily fixed. Addressing these issues now means not having them, potentially, end your marriage down the line.
When are Postnuptial Agreements Most Beneficial?
Postnuptial agreements do not always appeal to younger individuals. There are so many issues to consider in a young marriage. Diving into deep financial waters may not be one of those issues that interest you all. However, as time goes by the benefits of a post-nuptial agreement expand. Many times, as your income and that of your spouse become less equal the benefits of a postnuptial agreement become apparent. Changing circumstances require a pivot in your thinking.
As you grow older the amount of property you must protect hopefully increases, as well. Then, the more property you own your joint net worth changes. With those changes comes a different perspective on limiting risk. Divorce cases are full of risk for spouses of all ages. No one group is immune from the impacts of a divorce. Having a plan to deal with the fallout of a divorce shows a great deal of wisdom.
Consider what you would do if you or your spouse inherited a great deal of money. Inherited money is typically held as the separate property of the recipient. This means that a court cannot divide this money in a divorce. However, having a substantial amount of separate property draws into question whether the community property requires a disproportionate split. Again, this is something to consider as you see your circumstances changing. Creating an agreement where the community estate is shared in a specific way makes sense here.
Other Situations Where a Postnuptial Agreement Makes Sense
What about if you own a small business? It may have been a company you started years ago. However, now that you are married your spouse has contributed their time and effort to build the company. In a situation where the two of you have built a life together concepts like fairness and equity matter. A post-nuptial agreement stands to act as a way for the two of you to prepare for a divorce. The last thing you want to do is leave your spouse out to dry.
In a second marriage, the property you own may be of sentimental or relational value. Ensuring that your children and not your current spouse receive family property is important to many people. A postnuptial agreement removes the possibility that your spouse winds up receiving any property like this in your divorce. Again, as situations change you need to evaluate your marriage. A postnuptial agreement is a great option to consider.
A Postnuptial Agreement Cannot Establish Child Custody Orders
Creating a post-nuptial agreement with the hope of establishing child custody will not work. Family courts have the exclusive jurisdiction to oversee matters regarding child custody. The best interests of your child are the top concern for family courts. Ensuring that their best interests are attended to is what matters most in a child custody case. Therefore, including any language in your postnuptial agreement regarding child custody is a mistake.
However, if you find yourself in a situation where you need child custody orders contact the Law Office of Bryan Fagan. Our licensed family law attorneys and postnuptial agreement lawyer have the experience you need. A post-nuptial agreement is a terrific way for you to plan regarding matters related to your finances. For issues related to children, it is best to reach out to an attorney. The family courts of Texas won’t enforce any agreement provisions related to your children.
Consider that times changeand circumstances do, too. The post-nuptial agreement created on behalf of your children may not take into consideration all those changes that have built up overtime. When and if a divorce comes, this is when child custody orders are created. A court may consider your wishes as contained in the postnuptial agreement. However, the document itself will not replace formal court orders regarding the children.
When Should You Avoid a Postnuptial Agreement?
Postnuptial agreements are great at removing the negative emotions associated with property division. All those negative feelings that you have toward your spouse come out during divorce negotiations. We just saw that child custody issues are off limits and a postnuptial agreement. Therefore, why not handle as much of the divorce case within your postnuptial agreement as possible? This is another reason why postnuptial agreements tend to help families by and large.
There are reasons why you may hesitate when considering a postnuptial agreement in Texas. To begin with, an experienced family law attorney can help you gauge whether a postnuptial agreement is something in your best interests. Remember that a postnuptial agreement is optional. Do not create a situation where you begin negotiating on a postnuptial agreement before backing out. This can harm the marriage and create an emotional rift between you and your spouse.
Be careful, for example, when your spouse comes to you with a fully formed postnuptial agreement. We have discussed in detail how important negotiation is in a document like this. Collaborating with your spouse on this document is the whole purpose. When your spouse has a fully formed postnuptial agreement ready for your signature then it is time to proceed with caution. Signing something without reading it is never a good plan. Even if you trust your spouse, it is not advisable to sign a postnuptial agreement that you did not negotiate on.
Hire an Postnuptial Lawyer Texas Before You Negotiate Your Post-nuptial Agreement
Signing a postnuptial agreement in Texas before hiring an attorney is another risk worth considering. Specifically, there is so much about the law that you may be unaware of as it pertains to postnuptial agreements. When you then consider that postnuptial agreements need to make sense for your particular circumstances the risks of signing an agreement increase.
An experienced family law attorney understands how Texas law and your circumstances intersect. We at the Law Office of Bryan Fagan take seriously the responsibility of walking beside clients who are involved in post-nuptial negotiations. As you consider your options and the possibilities associated with a postnuptial agreement, reaching out to an attorney makes sense.
One lesson that an attorney can teach is that sometimes well-meaning people make mistakes. Not having an attorney by your side to help creates a set of issues regarding how the document is drafted. Never assume malice when ignorance is the better explanation. Well-meaning people who make mistakes drafting contract language are harmful in a legal sense.
Instead, choose to work with a postnuptial agreements lawyer who not only is experienced in the law but also at educating clients. The attorneys with the Law Office of Bryan Fagan pride themselves on having the heart of a teacher. This means that we do not make decisions for you or assume knowledge you may not possess. Rather, we take the time to teach you the law regarding your case. You are empowered to make your own decisions.
The Final Word on Postnuptial Agreements in Texas
Accounting for the property and assets owned by you and your spouse is important. Additionally, it is critical to not lose sight of the role that debt plays in a marriage. Many spouses learn upon divorce that debt is a subject worth planning for. This means that the more planning you can do regarding property and debt the better off you will be. Do not assume that because a debt is not in your name it cannot become your responsibility in the divorce. Rather, act with certainty and develop a strategy for handling these issues with your spouse.
A phrase that is sometimes used in the world of family law is suing your spouse for divorce. Going through a divorce in and of itself is bad enough. However, the idea that you are suing your spouse for divorce makes a bad situation even worse. With that in mind, a post-nuptial agreement is exactly the type of thing to remove much of the animosity and bad feelings from a divorce.
Nobody hopes to go through a divorce. However, if a divorce is necessary then making the process as productive and equitable as possible is most beneficial. This is where knowledge of the law and an understanding of your circumstances matter a great deal. Lawyers for postnuptial agreement in Texas at the Law Office of Bryan Fagan understand the challenges of postnuptial agreements and are here to guide you through the process compassionately.
Considering a Postnuptial Agreement in Texas? Contact the Law Office of Bryan Fagan Today
The Texas Postnuptial Agreement Lawyer with the Law Office of Bryan Fagan offer free of charge consultations six days a week in person, over the phone, and via video. These consultations are a great way for you to learn more about the world of Texas family law, specifically postnuptial agreements. Before signing a document or negotiating on a subject you do not know well, contact our office. We look forward to the opportunity of serving you during an important part of your life.
Our Postnuptial Agreement Lawyers skillfully negotiate for you and represent you powerfully in court. We invite you to visit our office or peruse our website for more information. We hope that you have found this content to be informative and interesting.
