A premarital agreement may not be the most romantic concept, but it’s an important step in ensuring your financial health in the event of a divorce.
In Illinois, a premarital agreement is an agreement between future spouses made in contemplation of marriage. The agreement goes into effect when the marriage begins. It must be in writing and signed by both parties. The agreement typically lists each party’s property and debt, and may include provisions such as:
A premarital agreement may also contain a provision for the modification or elimination of spousal support. This provision may be enforceable if:
However, a premarital agreement may not contain provisions that will adversely affect a child’s right to support.
Often, a party will attempt to have a premarital agreement set aside. For this to occur, you must prove:
To prove that a premarital agreement is unconscionable, you must show:
To ensure that a premarital agreement is upheld, each party should be represented by his or her own lawyer. If you need help crafting a premarital agreement that will serve your best interests, or if you need help setting aside an unconscionable agreement, an experienced family law attorney can help you obtain an optimal outcome.