For some people, signing a pre-nuptial agreement, or prenup, before marriage carries an undesirable stigma. However, these pre-marital agreements offer certain protections to both parties should something go wrong in the marriage, and many attorneys recommend getting a prenup, no matter the circumstances of your relationship. Here are just a few reasons why. 

3 Reasons to Get a Prenup

1. Independence of Finances

If you and your partner want to stay financially independent throughout your marriage, a prenup is one of the best ways to do so. The agreement allows you to specify what property and assets from before the marriage become jointly owned, and it helps keep these assets in order in the case of divorce. By default, the spouse of a business owner can claim a portion of the business's income or increase in value during a divorce, but a prenup can prevent this. 

2. Lower Costs for Divorce Litigation

Without a prenup, you and your spouse are beholden to state and local laws regarding property and asset division in the event of a divorce. If you want to challenge these laws and get a different outcome, the process is long and difficult. Instead, you can get a prenup and be in control of the terms of your marriage. This will lead to much lower legal costs in the long run. 

3. Protection From Existing Debt

When one spouse enters a marriage and carries pre-existing debt with them, that debt also becomes the responsibility of the spouse without debt. Should you get divorced, you and your spouse will then have to split the debt evenly, even if it all belonged to one person initially. You can protect yourselves from this by getting a prenup that states that personal debts from before the marriage remain the sole responsibility of the person who incurred them.

If you're looking for an attorney to help you and your partner sign a pre-nuptial agreement, reach out to Anderson Law Firm in Texarkana, TX. For over 20 years, this office has helped couples in Texas and Arkansas get a prenup that suits their needs. Learn more about their services online, and call (903) 792-1229 to request a consultation with an attorney today.