Bergen County Postnuptial Agreements Lawyer
Preparing for the future is always advisable before entering into a marriage. As unbelievable as it may seem, around half of all marriages currently end in divorce.
Aside from the emotional impact of a divorce, the end of a marriage could also have a crippling effect on your finances. While a court has the power to divide assets and liabilities equitably, this may leave both former spouses unsatisfied and saddled with heavy debt. Such an unsatisfactory outcome could be avoided by entering into a postnuptial agreement.
A Bergen County postnuptial agreements lawyer could help people understand the process of creating a marital agreement and post-divorce contract. A knowledgeable family attorney could explain the purpose behind postnuptial agreements, how they are formed, and how courts can use these agreements to quicken the divorce process.
Comparing Postnuptial and Prenuptial Documents
Both postnuptial and prenuptial agreements serve to protect a couple’s assets in case of a divorce. Both types of agreements only take effect if the marriage ends with a divorce. This can include circumstances in which a marriage ends with the death of a spouse.
The only true difference between the two forms of agreements is when people create them: a prenuptial agreement is created before two people get married, while a postnuptial agreement is formed after the marriage. Both contracts can speak as to the distribution of assets, the assignment of debt, or even the custody of children. An experienced attorney in Bergen County could help a person understand how signing a postnuptial agreement may protect them.
Reasons to Get a Postnuptial Agreement
Divorces are complicated and stressful processes. Even in the best-case scenario, both parties may feel as if they are making unnecessary sacrifices to move on with their lives. Many divorces could end with animosity if a judge is forced to make certain decisions that affect the parties for the duration of their lives, like requiring the sale of the family home or the forfeiture of certain assets.
It should be noted that while courts are required to make an equitable distribution of assets under New Jersey Revised Statutes §2A:34-23.1, a postnuptial agreement could render this function irrelevant. If the two parties have a valid postnuptial agreement, the judge in the case can use this agreement to settle the relevant matters covered in the document.
This could serve to shorten the lengthy divorce process and preserve good relations between the separating spouses. A Bergen County lawyer could review a couple’s specific case to explain whether a postnuptial agreement may benefit them.
A Bergen County Postnuptial Agreements Attorney Could Help
The presence of a postnuptial agreement during any divorce could help safeguard the future of both parties. These agreements, created after the beginning of a marriage, could address numerous issues in advance that may arise at the end of a divorce. A postnuptial agreement could also simplify the state’s complex divorce process, allowing a judge to merge that agreement into a divorce and avoid the intrusive questions that often complicate and slow down a divorce.
A Bergen County postnuptial agreements lawyer could work with you to form and enter into a contract that covers all your needs and desires in the event of a divorce. Contact a skilled attorney today to see how one could help you.
