Do I need a prenup in Massachusetts?

Under most circumstances, Massachusetts law requires that the courts enforce properly written and executed prenups upon the end of a marriage. And let's face it---all marriages end, either through death or divorce.whether either spouse will receive alimony if the marriage ends in divorce.

Are prenups legally binding in Massachusetts?

According to Massachusetts law, prenuptial agreements, sometimes known as "premarital agreements" or "antenuptial agreements" are essentially contracts that the couple signs prior to getting married. The terms in the agreement are legally binding and can be executed if the marriage ends in divorce.

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Massachusetts Prenuptial Premarital Agreement with Financial...

Massachusetts Prenuptial Premarital Agreement with Financial Statements

Category:

Family Law - Marriage - Property Agreements - Prenuptial Premarital

State:

Massachusetts

Control #:

MA-00590

Format:

Instant download

Description

This Prenuptial Premarital Agreement with Financial Statements form package contains a premarital agreement and financial statements for your state. The agreement can be used by persons who have been previously married, or by persons who have never been married. It includes provisions regarding the contemplated marriage, assets and debts disclosure and property rights after the marriage. The agreement describes the rights, duties and obligations of prospective parties during and upon termination of marriage through death or divorce. These contracts are often used by individuals who want to ensure the proper and organized disposition of their assets in the event of death or divorce. Among the benefits that prenuptial agreements provide are avoidance of costly litigation, protection of family and/or business assets, protection against creditors and assurance that the marital property will be disposed of properly.

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FAQ

Under most circumstances, Massachusetts law requires that the courts enforce properly written and executed prenups upon the end of a marriage. And let's face it---all marriages end, either through death or divorce.whether either spouse will receive alimony if the marriage ends in divorce.

A prenup cannot include child support or child custody issues.A court would never uphold a provision of a prenuptial agreement that dealt with child support, child custody, or visitation, because these are issues of public policy.

In the event of divorce, a prenup can protect a spouse from being liable for any debt the other spouse brought into the marriage.A prenup can also protect any income or assets you earn during the marriage, as well as unearned income from a bequest or a trust distribution.

One formality that many do not realize the importance of is a full and fair disclosure of assets and debts prior to the prenuptial agreement being signed. In other words, both parties are supposed to disclosure all the assets and debts that they are bringing into the marriage.

Do not estimate your monthly expenses. Make sure you account for all income. Report assets at their proper fair market value. Make sure all the assets and liabilities are accounted for. Update your financial statement.

How Much Does a Prenup Cost? The creation of a prenuptial agreement can range in costs based on how simple or complicated the financial details are between you and your spouse. The costs can range from $1,500 up to $5,000, as this may also include attorney fees.

According to Massachusetts law, prenuptial agreements, sometimes known as "premarital agreements" or "antenuptial agreements" are essentially contracts that the couple signs prior to getting married. The terms in the agreement are legally binding and can be executed if the marriage ends in divorce.

2. Prenups make you think less of your spouse. And at their root, prenups show a lack of commitment to the marriage and a lack of faith in the partnership.Ironically, the marriage becomes more concerned with money after a prenup than it would have been without the prenup.

Here are the top 10 reasons why a prenup could be invalid: There Isn't A Written Agreement: Premarital agreements are required to be in writing to be enforced. Not Correctly Executed: Each party is required to sign a premarital agreement prior to the wedding for the agreement to be deemed valid.

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Massachusetts Prenuptial Premarital Agreement with Financial Statements

Some areas of law have been compiled by experts into Uniform Acts which are often adopted in part or in whole by various states. Premarital Agreements is one such area of law. The NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF COMMISSIONERS ON UNIFORM STATE LAWS adopted the final version of the Uniform Premarital Agreement Act in 1983. Since that date, the act, as modified by the various states, has been adopted in the following states: Arizona, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Texas, Utah and Virginia. At the heart of the act is the provision which provides that such an agreement is generally valid if in writing and sets forth the factors to consider if the agreement is challenged. If your state has not adopted the Uniform Act, case law generally controls enforceability of the agreement.

A sample of the Uniform Act provides as follows:

25-201. Definitions

In this article, unless the context otherwise requires:

1. "Premarital agreement" means an agreement between prospective spouses that is made in contemplation of marriage and that is effective on marriage.

2. "Property" means an interest, present or future, legal or equitable, vested or contingent, in real or personal property, including income and earnings.

25-202. Enforcement of premarital agreements; exception

A. A premarital agreement must be in writing and signed by both parties. The agreement is enforceable without consideration.

B. The agreement becomes effective on marriage of the parties.

C. The agreement is not enforceable if the person against whom enforcement is sought proves either of the following:

1. The person did not execute the agreement voluntarily.

2. The agreement was unconscionable when it was executed and before execution of the agreement that person:

(a) Was not provided a fair and reasonable disclosure of the property or financial obligations of the other party.

(b) Did not voluntarily and expressly waive, in writing, any right to disclosure of the property or financial obligations of the other party beyond the disclosure provided.

(c) Did not have, or reasonably could not have had, an adequate knowledge of the property or financial obligations of the other party.

D. If a provision of a premarital agreement modifies or eliminates spousal support and that modification or elimination causes one party to the agreement to be eligible for support under a program of public assistance at the time of separation or marital dissolution, a court, notwithstanding the terms of the agreement, may require the other party to provide support to the extent necessary to avoid that eligibility.

E. An issue of unconscionability of a premarital agreement shall be decided by the court as a matter of law.

F. If a marriage is determined to be void, an agreement that would otherwise have been a premarital agreement is enforceable only to the extent necessary to avoid an inequitable result.

25-203. Scope of agreement

A. Parties to a premarital agreement may contract with respect to:

1. The rights and obligations of each of the parties in any of the property of either or both of them whenever and wherever acquired or located.

2. The right to buy, sell, use, transfer, exchange, abandon, lease, consume, expend, assign or create a security interest in, mortgage, encumber, dispose of or otherwise manage and control property.

3. The disposition of property on separation, marital dissolution, death or the occurrence or nonoccurrence of any other event.

4. The modification or elimination of spousal support.

5. The making of a will, trust or other arrangement to carry out the provisions of the agreement.

6. The ownership rights in and disposition of the death benefit from a life insurance policy.

7. The choice of law governing the construction of the agreement.

8. Any other matter, including their personal rights and obligations, not in violation of public policy or a statute imposing a criminal penalty.

B. The right of a child to support may not be adversely affected by a premarital agreement.

25-204. Amendment or revocation of agreement

After marriage, a premarital agreement may be amended or revoked only by a written agreement signed by the parties. The amended agreement or the revocation is enforceable without consideration.

25-205. Limitation of actions

A statute of limitations applicable to an action asserting a claim for relief under a premarital agreement is tolled during the marriage of the parties to the agreement. However, equitable defenses limiting the time for enforcement, including laches and estoppel, are available to either party.

If your state has not adopted the Uniform Act, case law generally controls enforceability of the agreement. The agreement you have found is written to comply with the Uniform Act adopted by your State, or applicable case law if the Uniform Act has not been adopted by your state.

Advantages of premarital agreements for both parties: Avoiding Litigation Costs:
Protecting against Fears of Family Members
Protecting Family Assets
Protecting Business Assets
Protection Against Creditors
Child Custody and Support Guidlines
Predetermined Disposition of Property

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Disclaimer: This law summary is not legal advice. If you are not an attorney, you should consult an attorney about serious legal matters.

Massachusetts Prenuptial Premarital Agreement with Financial Statements

A sample of the Uniform Act provides as follows:

25-201. Definitions

In this article, unless the context otherwise requires:

1. "Premarital agreement" means an agreement between prospective spouses that is made in contemplation of marriage and that is effective on marriage.

2. "Property" means an interest, present or future, legal or equitable, vested or contingent, in real or personal property, including income and earnings.

25-202. Enforcement of premarital agreements; exception

A. A premarital agreement must be in writing and signed by both parties. The agreement is enforceable without consideration.

B. The agreement becomes effective on marriage of the parties.

C. The agreement is not enforceable if the person against whom enforcement is sought proves either of the following:

1. The person did not execute the agreement voluntarily.

2. The agreement was unconscionable when it was executed and before execution of the agreement that person:

(a) Was not provided a fair and reasonable disclosure of the property or financial obligations of the other party.

(b) Did not voluntarily and expressly waive, in writing, any right to disclosure of the property or financial obligations of the other party beyond the disclosure provided.

(c) Did not have, or reasonably could not have had, an adequate knowledge of the property or financial obligations of the other party.

E. An issue of unconscionability of a premarital agreement shall be decided by the court as a matter of law.

F. If a marriage is determined to be void, an agreement that would otherwise have been a premarital agreement is enforceable only to the extent necessary to avoid an inequitable result.

25-203. Scope of agreement

A. Parties to a premarital agreement may contract with respect to:

1. The rights and obligations of each of the parties in any of the property of either or both of them whenever and wherever acquired or located.

2. The right to buy, sell, use, transfer, exchange, abandon, lease, consume, expend, assign or create a security interest in, mortgage, encumber, dispose of or otherwise manage and control property.

3. The disposition of property on separation, marital dissolution, death or the occurrence or nonoccurrence of any other event.

4. The modification or elimination of spousal support.

5. The making of a will, trust or other arrangement to carry out the provisions of the agreement.

6. The ownership rights in and disposition of the death benefit from a life insurance policy.

7. The choice of law governing the construction of the agreement.

8. Any other matter, including their personal rights and obligations, not in violation of public policy or a statute imposing a criminal penalty.

B. The right of a child to support may not be adversely affected by a premarital agreement.

25-204. Amendment or revocation of agreement

After marriage, a premarital agreement may be amended or revoked only by a written agreement signed by the parties. The amended agreement or the revocation is enforceable without consideration.

25-205. Limitation of actions

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Disclaimer: This law summary is not legal advice. If you are not an attorney, you should consult an attorney about serious legal matters.

Massachusetts Prenuptial Premarital Agreement with Financial Statements

Description

Related forms

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How to fill out Massachusetts Prenuptial Premarital Agreement With Financial Statements?

Form popularity

FAQ

Do I need a prenup in Massachusetts?

Which of the following Cannot be included in a prenuptial agreement?

Do prenups cover money made after marriage?

Do you have to disclose assets in a prenup?

How do I prepare financial statements for divorce?

How much does a prenup cost in Massachusetts?

Are prenups legally binding in Massachusetts?

Why you should never sign a prenup?

What makes a prenup invalid?

Explore more forms

Trusted and secure by over 3 million people of the world’s leading companies

Massachusetts Prenuptial Premarital Agreement with Financial Statements

Description

Related forms

Related legal definitions

Viewed forms

How to fill out Massachusetts Prenuptial Premarital Agreement With Financial Statements?

Form popularity

FAQ

Do I need a prenup in Massachusetts?

Which of the following Cannot be included in a prenuptial agreement?

Do prenups cover money made after marriage?

Do you have to disclose assets in a prenup?

How do I prepare financial statements for divorce?

How much does a prenup cost in Massachusetts?

Are prenups legally binding in Massachusetts?

Why you should never sign a prenup?

What makes a prenup invalid?

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