Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements

SALT LAKE CITY PRENUPTIAL AGREEMENT ATTORNEY

PROTECTING YOUR ASSETS IN SALT LAKE CITY

Statistics show that many people are marrying later in life than their parents, and especially their grandparents. Therefore, the new newlyweds may have substantially more property. Such property can include houses, cars, an inheritance and investment accounts.

My name is Melvin A. Cook and I am a Salt Lake City prenuptial agreement attorney.  I make it a priority to protect my clients’ assets. A prenuptial agreement can protect you and your extended family in the event of a marital breakdown. Since I have an MBA and an acute understanding of property issues, I think it is always a good idea to at least think about a marital property agreement.

AREN’T WEALTHY PEOPLE THE ONLY ONES WHO NEED A PRENUPTIAL AGREEMENT?

Everyone with anything they want to keep may need a prenuptial agreement in Salt Lake City. Even though Utah is a common-law state, meaning that assets titled in your name remain yours even upon divorce, the court may still order some division. While I was earning my MBA, my professors always emphasized the need for a good financial plan, regardless of your income level.

WHAT SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN A PRENUTIAL AGREEMENT?

Utah follows the Uniform Premarital Agreement Act (UPAA), which has a rather broad view of marital property agreements. Some items to include are:

• Full disclosure of current assets and realistic expectations for future assets
• Divorce preplanning, such as who will keep the house
• Planning for the distribution of rents, royalties and other nonwage income
• Planning for the payment of premarital debts

Some people avoid prenuptial agreements because they believe they destroy the romance in a relationship. This is true, at least to some extent. But the number one cause of marital friction is money. By dealing with financial matters in advance, you can reduce or eliminate that source of conflict and set the stage for a happier marriage.

HOW DO I CHALLENGE A PRENUPTIAL AGREEMENT?

Even the most well crafted prenuptial agreement is not ironclad. An attorney may use one of the following grounds to challenge a marital property agreement:

• Nondisclosure — If one spouse tried to conceal something from the other spouse, the entire agreement may be invalid.
• Illegality — Even if both parties sign, the contract cannot be against public policy or otherwise illegal.
• Technicality — If the agreement was not properly signed and filed, or if each party did not have a separate attorney, the agreement may be invalid.
• Coercion — If anyone was forced to sign the agreement, either directly or indirectly, the agreement may be invalid.

CONTACT A SALT LAKE CITY PRENUPTIAL AGREEMENT ATTORNEY ABOUT PROTECTING YOUR ASSETS

Despite any misgivings they may have, my clients are wise to consider a prenuptial agreement. The advantages simply outweigh the disadvantages. Contact the Law Office of Melvin A. Cook at 801-746-5075 or online to schedule your free consultation with a Salt Lake City Postnuptial Agreement Attorney.