Ventura, CA Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreement Lawyer

When you’re busy planning for your big day, one of the last things you want to think about is drafting a complicated legal document. However, it is very important to create a prenuptial agreement, or “premarital agreement,” with your fiancé or fiancée before you get married. Let the California family law attorneys at The Law Offices of Bamieh & De Smeth, PLC help you draft a comprehensive prenuptial agreement, so that you can focus on planning your wedding and starting your new life together.

At Bamieh & De Smeth, we have decades of experience helping men and women draft enforceable, personalized prenuptial and postnuptial agreements. We can answer all of your legal questions, help you decide what should go in your prenuptial agreement, and advise you as to the financial effects of the provisions you wish to include, such as how debts and tax liabilities could be affected. With our Ventura prenuptial agreement attorneys to guide and counsel you, you can feel complete peace of mind that you and your spouse will be protected and prepared.

Whether you’re engaged and would like to create a prenuptial agreement before your wedding, or are already married and want to design a postnuptial agreement, our trusted attorneys are ready to help. For a free and confidential legal consultation concerning postnuptial or prenuptial agreements in California, call The Law Offices of Bamieh & De Smeth, PLC at (805) 643-5555 today. We serve Ventura and other counties of Southern California.

Who Should Get a Prenuptial Agreement and Why?

Many couples resist the idea of signing a postnuptial or prenuptial agreement. You and your husband, wife, fiancé, or fiancée or may be among them. You may feel as though signing a prenup is unlucky or unromantic, or that agreeing to a prenup implies that your marriage will not endure the test of time.

While these feelings are understandable and quite common, they ultimately do you and your fiancé or fiancée a disservice by preventing you from creating a safety net for the future. The purpose of a post- or prenuptial agreement is not to constrain or overshadow your marriage, but simply to ensure that you and your fiancé, fiancée, or spouse are on the same legal page when it comes to critical matters such as property ownership, the preservation of inheritances, and the execution of wills.

While it is a possibility no one ever wants to consider, a prenuptial agreement will also give you and your spouse a clear mutual understanding of how to proceed in case of a medical or financial emergency, such as a house fire, a natural disaster, the bankruptcy or dissolution of a family-run business, or the death of either party. During a difficult time of mourning or crisis, the detail and clarity provided by a prenuptial agreement can lighten the emotional burden by making it easier to determine what steps must be taken.

Too many couples make the mistake of assuming they “aren’t wealthy enough” to need a prenup, or “don’t own enough property” to justify making a prenuptial agreement. While it’s true that prenuptial agreements are particularly important for couples with significant assets, they are useful documents for every couple, regardless of either spouse’s financial circumstances. Prenuptial agreements are especially recommended if:

There is a large difference between your income and your fiancé or fiancée’s income.
You have assets exceeding $50,000.
You have financial obligations from a previous marriage, such as alimony payments or child support payments.
You have an heir other than your partner.
You have over a year’s worth of retirement benefits.
You own a business.
You own real estate.
You provide financial support for a sick, disabled, or elderly family member.

What Does a Prenuptial Agreement Cover in California?

A prenuptial agreement – or, for that matter, a postnuptial agreement – can cover almost anything you wish to include, with some restrictions pertaining to child support, private domestic affairs (such as which person is responsible for doing chores around the house), and, of course, illegal activities. The purpose of a postnuptial or prenuptial agreement is to create a contract which protects property and assets, plans for saving and spending, and establishes how other legal and financial matters will be handled in the event of divorce or death.

Details to consider including when drafting a prenuptial agreement in Calfornia include, but are not limited to, provisions concerning the following:

Business Ownership
Credit Card Payments
Division of Debts and Assets
Education Expenses
Investments
Joint Bank Accounts
Life Insurance Coverage
Property Distribution
Retirement Benefits
Savings Contributions
Starting a Business
Tax Deductions
Utility Bills

Needless to say, every person approaches the premarital agreement drafting process with a unique set of financial concerns and considerations. For instance, a small business owner will have a different set of needs than a retiree, or a person who is entitled to a large inheritance. Rather than taking a “one-size-fits-all” approach to your prenuptial agreement, our Ventura prenup lawyers will sit down with you to discuss your financial questions in detail, enabling us to meticulously craft a personalized document that is tailored to your situation.

Contact Our Ventura Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreement Attorneys for a Free Consultation

Making a prenuptial agreement has numerous benefits for couples from all walks of life. In addition to establishing clear rules for spending, investing, and other crucial financial matters, a premarital agreement can also help you protect your assets, your business, and your property. Furthermore, a prenuptial agreement can help ensure that your spouse will be well provided for in the event of your death.

Prenuptial agreements and postnuptial agreements can have profound financial advantages, but only if they are valid and enforceable. With your wedding day coming up fast, make sure your prenuptial agreement is drafted by a skilled, knowledgeable, and experienced attorney who understands what should be included and omitted for maximum efficacy.

The Ventura prenuptial agreement lawyers of Bamieh & De Smeth provide family law legal services to Ventura, CA and other communities in the Southern California region. To learn more about how we can assist you with a postnup or prenup in Ventura County, contact our law offices today at (805) 643-5555.