Are you thinking of getting married or re-married? You and your bride-to-be deserve congratulations, of course, but keep in mind that not all couples live happily ever after.
If you have any assets you’d like to preserve, you should think about signing a prenuptial agreement before the marriage. A valid “prenup,” as it’s known, can protect your property in case things don’t work out.
The rules on prenuptial agreements vary by state. In general, though, such an agreement should list both parties’ assets, as of the date of the marriage. These are “sole and separate assets,” which should be kept separate.
That is, keep your own pre-marriage assets in your own name, without adding to them after the marriage. If so, you might be able to claim those assets, in case of a subsequent divorce.
After you’re married, you can create joint accounts for deposits of future earnings, if your professional advisors approve of this arrangement.
