Helping Individuals with Prenuptial & Postnuptial Agreements in Houston, Texas and Harris County
Talking about a prenuptial agreement may not always feel romantic, but it can be a beneficial decision for many couples. Prenuptial agreements—also known as prenups, premarital agreements, or antenuptial agreements—allow couples to protect their separate property in the event of dissolution.
At Stange Law Firm, we help individuals in Houston, Texas with drafting, reviewing, and litigating prenuptial agreements. We also handle matters involving postnuptial agreements, which are similar to prenuptial agreements but are created during the marriage.
What is a Prenuptial Agreement?
A prenuptial agreement is a legal contract between two individuals planning to marry. The purpose of a prenuptial agreement is to safeguard each person’s assets and property in the event of a dissolution or death. Prenups can also outline how property will be divided if the couple ends the marriage.
Common items that are covered in a prenup include:
- Premarital assets and debts: A prenup can specify each person’s assets and debts before the marriage. Property such as homes, vehicles, jewelry, and other valuable items acquired before the marriage can be designated as belonging to one individual. This can help prevent disputes and conflicts over ownership of these items in the event of a divorce.
- Inheritances and gifts: A prenup can also address what happens to inheritances and gifts received during the marriage. For example, if one person inherits a house from their parents, the prenup can specify that, regardless of the length of the marriage, the house will remain their sole property.
- Children from a previous relationship: If either person has children from a previous relationship, a prenuptial agreement can be used to determine how financial responsibilities for the children will be handled. This can help prevent disputes over financial support and parenting time in the event of dissolution.
- Spousal Support: A prenup may be utilized to give up the right to financial assistance or spell out how much assistance one spouse would be able to receive if the couple ends the marriage.
- Property division: A prenuptial agreement can outline how property will be divided up if the couple decides to end the marriage. For example, the prenup can state that all property that was obtained during the marriage will be divided equitably.
Effective Prenuptial Agreements in Houston, Texas
What makes a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement effective in Houston, Texas? These agreements need to include detailed descriptions of any significant property and debts owned by each party. Depending on the complexity and nature of these assets, a prenuptial agreement can range from just a few pages to several hundred in length. At Stange Law Firm in Houston, we adapt each agreement to meet the unique needs of our clients.
For a prenuptial agreement to be valid in Texas, it must meet the requirements set forth by the Uniform Premarital Agreement Act (UPAA). The agreement must be in writing, signed by both prospective spouses, and does not require consideration beyond the marriage itself to be enforceable.
Houston, Texas Postnuptial Agreements
Also known as post-marital agreements, postnuptial agreements are legal contracts between two parties that are already legally married. Like prenuptial agreements, they include provisions outlining how to split up property in the event of dissolution or the death of a spouse.
Enforcing a Prenuptial or Postnuptial Agreement in Houston, Texas
In some situations, enforcing a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement can be difficult, as courts apply strict standards when evaluating these agreements. However, when legal action is necessary in your case, we provide skilled and dedicated legal counsel in Houston, Texas. Our goal is to help you move your case forward by working closely with you to create a legal strategy that considers the costs and benefits of each decision. Together, we will work as a team to achieve a favorable outcome.
Not having legal representation when signing a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement can provide grounds to challenge its enforceability. For this reason, it is important that both parties have independent legal counsel. Additionally, the Founding Partner of our firm, Kirk C. Stange, authored a book on prenuptial agreements, published by Thomson Reuters (Aspatore Publishing), titled Prenuptial Agreements Line by Line.
Handling Prenuptial or Postnuptial Agreements in Houston, TX
If you are interested in learning more information about the Harris County Family Court, more information can be found at the following links:
- Harris County Circuit Clerk’s Office: Find more information about the Harris County Circuit Clerk’s office here.
- Harris County Court Information: Discover more information and specific guidelines for the Harris County Courts here.
- Harris County Family Law Forms & Information: This link provides you with important family law forms in Houston, Texas.
- City of Houston, Texas: Explore information about the local government of Houston, Texas here.
- Harris County, Texas Civil Courthouse: Get the address and directions to the Harris County Civil Courthouse in Houston from Google Maps by clicking here.
Schedule a Consultation with a Houston, Texas Prenuptial or Postnuptial Agreement Lawyer
As taxing as a prenuptial agreement may seem for your marriage, it can have positive long term benefits for you and your family. We have written articles about prenuptial agreements to provide you helpful information on the topic: Is a Prenuptial Agreement in Your Future? How to Have ‘The Talk’, Social Media Clauses Gaining Popularity in Prenuptial Agreements, Domestic Asset Protection Trusts Versus Prenuptial Agreements: What is the Best Option?, and Prenuptial Agreements for Elderly Couples.
If you are interested in scheduling an initial consultation with our Houston, Texas prenuptial agreement lawyers, call us today at 855-805-0595 or contact us online.
Harris County (Houston), Texas Office (346-466-4901) | 12 Greenway Plaza, Suite 1147, Houston, Texas 77046
