sERVICE
Prenuptial Agreements
At Salmon Bay Law Group, our attorneys are experienced in both the drafting of Prenuptial Agreements and the representation of to-be-spouses who have been asked to sign a Prenuptial Agreement. Below is some general information about prenups to help guide your conversation with an attorney.
What is A Prenuptial Agreement?
A Prenuptial Agreement (a “prenup”) is a contract made by two individuals prior to their wedding date. The purpose of a Prenuptial Agreement is to outline how assets are to be owned during the marriage (for example, as separate or community property), and how they will be divided in the event of divorce or the death of a spouse.
What is Required for a Prenuptial Agreement to be valid?
Each partner must have their own attorney to create a valid prenup, and drafting and negotiation of the agreement must begin at least a few months before the wedding date. It is best practice for the agreement to be finalized and signed at least 30 days before the wedding.
Under Washington law, a prenup needs to be procedurally and substantively fair to both parties to be enforceable. Other formal requirements include the need for the agreement to be in writing, executed in contemplation of marriage, and signed by both parties in the presence of a notary.
why choose salmon bay law group?
At Salmon Bay Law Group, our Seattle attorneys are experienced in drafting Prenuptial Agreements and also in zealously representing clients who have been asked to sign a prenup prepared by their partner’s attorney. We take the time to understand our clients’ wishes and answer their questions so that they can feel confident when it comes time to sign the agreement. Ultimately, our goal is to help ensure that our client’s Prenuptial Agreement is legally sound and protects what matters to them.
OTHER interpersonal agreements
Couples who reside together and plan to remain unmarried may choose to negotiate a Cohabitation Agreement instead of a Prenuptial Agreement.
Married couples who are interested in creating a formal agreement may choose to create a Postnuptial Agreement.