Texas Prenuptial Premarital Agreement - Uniform Premarital Agreement Act - with Financial Statements

Sometimes there are areas of law about which Uniform Acts are written and adopted by the various states. Premarital Agreements is such an 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.

Texas Statutes

Definitions: In this subchapter:

(1) "Premarital agreement" means an agreement between prospective spouses made in contemplation of marriage and to be 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. Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 7, § 1, eff. April 17, 1997.§ 4.001 FAM.

Formalities:

A premarital agreement must be in writing and signed by both parties. The agreement is enforceable without consideration. Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 7, § 1, eff. April 17, 1997§ 4.002 FAM.

Content:

(a) The 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, 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; and

(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. Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 7, § 1, eff. April 17, 1997. 4.003 FAM.

Effect of Marriage:

A premarital agreement becomes effective on marriage. Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 7, § 1, eff. April 17, 1997 4.004 FAM.

Amendment or Revocation:

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. 4.005 FAM.

Enforcement:

(a) A premarital agreement is not enforceable if the party against whom enforcement is requested proves that:

(1) the party did not sign the agreement voluntarily; or

(2) the agreement was unconscionable when it was signed and, before signing the agreement, that party:

(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; and

(C) did not have, or reasonably could not have had, adequate knowledge of the property or financial obligations of the other party.

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

(c) The remedies and defenses in this section are the exclusive remedies or defenses, including common law remedies or defenses. 4.006 FAM.

Enforcement: Void Marriage:

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.§ 4.007 FAM.

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.4.008 FAM.

Application and Construction:

This subchapter shall be applied and construed to effect its general purpose to make uniform the law with respect to the subject of this subchapter among states enacting these provisions. 4.009 FAM.

Short Title:

This subchapter may be cited as the Uniform Premarital Agreement Act. 4.010 FAM.

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 Guidelines

Predetermined Disposition of Property

To order the form, close this window and click the order icon.

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