New Jersey Prenuptial Agreements

New Jersey Prenuptial Agreements

If you are engaged to be married or wish to enter into a Domestic Partnership, a New Jersey Prenuptial Agreement (also referred to as a premarital or ante-nuptial agreement) can be an extremely important planning tool. In fact, preparing an NJ Prenuptial Agreement (commonly abbreviated to prenup or prenupt) prior to marriage is an effective way to protect your financial interests. In the event of a divorce, a New Jersey Prenuptial Agreement generally protects your premarital assets and can ensure that your property is deemed exempt from equitable distribution.

A New Jersey Prenuptial Agreement can be prepared to protect any asset, including:

• Homes
• Investment properties
• Investment accounts
• Trusts
• Business assets
• Foreign assets
• And more

In order to have a legally valid NJ Prenuptial Agreement, both parties must at least:

• Fully disclose all assets
• Obtain independent legal counsel
• Enter into the NJ Prenuptial Agreement voluntarily
• Be afforded sufficient time to consider all the terms of the [New Jersey Prenuptial Agreement] prior to the marriage

New Jersey Prenuptial Agreements can be tailored individually to suit any couple's needs or situation. If desired, a "sunset" clause may be included, which specifies the date that the entire NJ Prenuptial Agreement will expire and no longer have any binding effect on either party. An experienced and veteran NJ Prenuptial Agreement attorney can advise you of all your Prenuptial Agreement options and draft the proper New Jersey Prenuptial Agreement for you.

The Benefits of a New Jersey Prenuptial Agreement

Many couples who enter into a New Jersey Prenuptial Agreement find themselves litigating far less in the event of divorce. By predetermining the treatment of their assets before marriage, an NJ Prenuptial Agreement attorney can help divorcing couples avoid lengthy legal battles.

In addition to protecting premarital assets, a New Jersey Prenuptial Agreement can also determine the final disposition of financial issues such as:

• Amount and term of alimony
• Waiver of alimony
• Asset values
• Business interests
• Division of complex financial security holdings
• Division of stocks, bonds, and other investments

Divorcing couples are not the only ones who can benefit from an NJ Prenuptial Agreement. When a couple decides to divorce, a New Jersey Prenuptial Agreement can also protect family assets that may be in danger. For example, a family that owns a business together may feel more comfortable with a Prenuptial Agreement. While it may not be the fiancée's preference, an NJ Prenuptial Agreement can protect the family business from being subject to equitable division, should a divorce occur in the future.

When To Consider a Prenuptial Agreement

While NJ Prenuptial Agreements are recommended in a number of situations, it is strongly urged if you:

• Own a business
• Anticipate receiving a significant inheritance or monetary gift
• Were previously married
• Have children from a prior relationship
• Have significantly more assets than your spouse
• Earn significantly more than your spouse
• Are the beneficiary of a trust
• Are marrying someone with significant debt

If you are engaged to be married or are considering a Domestic Partnership, it is important to know all of your legal options. The experienced New Jersey Prenuptial Agreement attorneys at Weinberger Law Group, LLC can protect your property and monetary assets through careful premarital planning. Contact us today to schedule your consultation.