How to Do a Prenup without a Lawyer | 7 Steps You Must Apply Now

Disclaimer

The contents of this web page are for informational and educational purposes only, and nothing you read is intended to be legal advice. Please review our disclaimer before taking action based upon anything you read or see.

Considering marriage as a possibility in the future, then you should consider having a prenuptial contract drawn up. Prenups are agreements between two parties before they marry. These contracts set out the financial details of their relationship and are designed to protect both parties during separation and divorce. Let’s discuss how to do a Prenup without a lawyer.

There are reasons and excuses why couples decide to get hitched, but if you don’t want to tie the knot, you can do things to ensure your partner doesn’t come back asking for a divorce. Prenups are never easy, but they can be made easier with the help of an attorney. However, if you’re not sure how to go about it and don’t want to hire one, there are still ways to make your prenuptial agreement work for you.

Prenups Are Not Easy – But They Don’t Have to Be

You may have heard that getting married is a big commitment. You’re going to spend a lot of time together and probably share many life experiences. So, it’s understandable that you’d want to know what will happen to your assets when you split up.

The good news is that planning for this eventuality isn’t fun, and it doesn’t have to be difficult either. There are ways to create a prenuptial agreement that protects your assets from being taken away by your spouse.

It all starts with understanding what exactly constitutes your property and who gets to keep what. The first step is to know and understand what assets you own. If you’ve already got kids, you need to figure out which parent owns them, as well as what happens to any joint bank accounts.

Assets include cash, stocks, bonds, real estate, cars, boats, motorcycles, antiques, artwork, jewelry, collectibles, furniture, and other valuable items. Your home is also considered part of your assets, so it makes sense to talk about that too.

When you separate, you’ll likely lose access to some of these assets, especially if you’ve put them into a trust.

Should I Get a Prenup?

A prenuptial agreement is an official and legal document that outlines the terms of a couple’s relationship. It defines the financial rights and responsibilities of each party. This way, if something goes wrong, you won’t end up in court fighting over money.

By signing a prenup, you’ll be protecting yourself against fraud, theft, or other situations where you could lose control of your assets. In exchange, you give up certain benefits that would otherwise be available to you after you’re divorced.

If the two people in our relationship are not on speaking terms right now, then you should start considering whether you want to get married.

Getting Married Might Help Protect Your Assets

While a prenup alone won’t guarantee that you won’t lose everything when you file for divorce, it will ensure that your assets stay safe until you settle.

In addition to protecting your assets, a prenup can also help you avoid paying unnecessary alimony. An attorney can assist you to sort through the various aspects of a prenup, including:

Is a Prenup Right for Me?

Your best task is to find an experienced lawyer who knows the ins and outs of prenups. Although you can certainly learn about them online, you’ll get more information if you speak to someone who has experience drafting them.

It’s important and mandatory to note that the law varies depending on the state you live in. Some states require both parties to sign a prenup, whereas others only allow one to sign. Make sure to check with your local authorities before making any decisions.

Prenups Aren’t Necessarily Binding.

Even though a prenup might seem like a great idea, it doesn’t mean your ex-partner has to follow its rules. Depending on the circumstances, they may choose to ignore the provisions outlined in the contract. If you understand the risks involved, you can make informed decisions about your future.

So, if you haven’t yet decided whether to get hitched, you might want to think again. A prenup can protect and save you from losing your hard-earned assets.

When Should I Get a Pregnancy Agreement?

After deciding whether to marry, you’ll have to decide how much time you want to spend planning your wedding. If you plan to have children soon, you should consider getting a pregnancy agreement.

A pregnancy agreement spells out the terms of your parents’ support during your child’s early years. You might also consider creating a paternity agreement, which details your partner’s duties while you’re pregnant.

The good news and information are that you don’t need an attorney to draft a pregnancy agreement. However, you might want to consult an expert to make sure that you understand the implications of this type of arrangement.

How to do a Prenuptial without a Lawyer

Now that you know what a prenup is, you can start gathering all the facts about your situation. Once you have a better knowledge of your current financial situation, you’ll be able to weigh your options.

Determine whether you want a prenup

You should first ask yourself whether you want a prenup. Sure, it does sound like a good idea at first glance, but it can come with downsides.

Consider your objectives

Before you jump into preparing a prenup, take some time to figure out what you hope to accomplish by doing so. Do you want to protect your assets before you get married? Are you concerned about potential custody issues? These are just two examples of why people create prenups.

Ask yourself questions

Once you’ve figured out what you want to achieve, you need to ask yourself some questions. How much do you expect to earn? What kind of living and lifestyle do you want to lead and live? Will you need a lot of money to raise a family?

Start talking to lawyers.

When considering a prenup, the most important and much-needed thing to remember is not to use your lawyer. Instead, find someone specializing in drafting these documents who knows the ins and outs of prenuptial agreements.

Draft the agreement

If you decide to go with a prenup, there are several steps you will need to take. First, gather all relevant information, including your partner’s income and expenses, debts, real estate holdings, and other assets. From here, it is up to you to decide where to draw the line between acceptable and unacceptable behaviour.

Finally, write down everything you’ve agreed upon, along with the date of execution. Keep this document somewhere safe so you won’t forget anything.

Sign the agreement

Finally, once you and your partner agree on everything, you must sign the document. It means that you cannot change any of the terms after you have signed, except for certain types of amendments allowed under California law. For example, you can add new provisions, such as increasing payments for spousal support. But you cannot remove existing provisions.

Finalize the agreement

After you sign the agreement, you and your partner must finalize the document. It usually involves signing copies that are given to each party.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you do your prenup?

In some cases, yes! The best way to prepare a prenuptial agreement would be to consult a qualified legal professional. An attorney will advise you on how you can draft a legally binding agreement that protects your rights and interests.

How much does it cost to draw up a prenuptial agreement?

The price of a prenuptial contract depends largely on the case’s complexity. However, starting at roughly $1,000, the average fee for prenuptial agreements is around $2,500.

While you should always consult with a lawyer before drawing up a prenuptial agreement, you may still choose to include your prenup in the marriage license application if you plan to file for divorce. It will ensure that the state has documentation proving that you were aware of and agreed to the terms in your prenuptial contract.

Is an online prenup legal?

Yes, but only if both parties are physically present in their home country or jurisdiction. Otherwise, you could face civil or criminal charges for fraud or perjury.

What can a woman ask for in a prenup?

Asking for what you want out of a prenuptial agreement is key. You don’t want to give it easily away too much. Otherwise, you might find yourself stuck with nothing.

What makes a prenup valid?

A prenuptial agreement must be valid in the jurisdiction where it executes. It requires that the couple live together for at least three years in most states, depending on the circumstances, a prenuptial can last anywhere from two weeks to 10 years.

A prenup can provide you with a certain peace of mind when protecting your financial future. It allows you to make firm decisions about your marriage based on facts rather than emotions.

Conclusion

To sum up, prenup agreements are designed to help couples resolve disputes over property and finances before tying the knot. They are used to protect one spouse from taking advantage of during divorce proceedings. If you’re interested in creating such an agreement, talk to an experienced attorney.

References

BISHAL BHADRA

I’m a driven and accomplished law graduate and post-graduate, passionate about sharing my legal expertise via my blog. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Law from the University of London (UK) and a Master’s in Law from the University of Derby (UK). Both gave me the foundational knowledge and skills to excel in my chosen career path.
Throughout my academic journey, I have gained extensive knowledge in various fields of Law, including Corporate and Business Law in the USA, Criminal Law, International Law, US Copyright law, and most importantly, American Constitutional law.

Find more about me.