A prenup might not be romantic, but Pasadena matrimonial lawyers say it's critical to have one prepared before you tie the knot. Don't think of a prenup as planning for divorce. Think of it as a way to make sure you are protected in the event something bad does happen. Some people think of a prenup as "insurance" for your marriage, similar to how you buy car insurance to protect yourself in case you are involved in an accident while driving.
Many people think of a prenup as a way to protect the higher earning party, but it's important to realize that your circumstances might change during the course of your marriage. For example, singer Jessica Simpson refused to sign a prenup when she married singer Nick Lachey in 2002. Lachey was the higher earning spouse at the time, but the tables turned quickly over the course of their three-year marriage. When they divorced in 2005, Simpson was reported to be worth as much as $35 million. In the end, Lachey accepted a settlement that was less than what he was legally entitled to just to avoid a long and bitter court battle. If he had fought for a larger settlement, Simpson would have taken a significant financial hit.
If you are the higher earning party, you might think that you don't need a prenup because your future husband or wife doesn't care about your money. Unfortunately, divorce brings out the worst in people. Even someone who claims to not care about your assets can have a change of heart in the middle of a messy divorce. Comedian Rosanne Barr actually fired her attorney for his suggestion that she sign a prenup before marrying actor Tom Arnold in 1990. Their marriage ended up lasting just four years, but Arnold is said to have received $50 million from the settlement.
How Can We Help?
If you would like more information about preparing a prenup, please call our office at (626) 683-8113 or email us at info@PasadenaLawOffice.com. Our skilled Pasadena matrimonial attorneys can make sure your prenup is designed to provide the maximum legal protection for your assets.