Columbia, MD Prenuptial & Postnuptial Agreement Attorney

Skilled Attorney for Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements in Columbia, Maryland

Getting married to a longtime partner is a wonderful thing. If you have any concerns about the possibility of divorce, it may be prudent to sign a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement to alleviate your concerns. A Columbia, MD family law attorney can help you draft a marital agreement to help protect both you and your spouse.

At DM Family Law, we have over two decades' worth of experience representing clients in complicated family law cases. Attorney David Marquardt is a solo practitioner, so you can take comfort knowing that your prenup or postnup will be reviewed by a seasoned lawyer instead of being passed from attorney to attorney.

Does Signing a Prenuptial Agreement Mean You Will Divorce in the Future?

Some people view prenuptial and postnuptial agreements through a cynical lens, treating it as "planning for divorce." While it does involve accounting for the possibility of a divorce, signing a prenup does not mean that your marriage will inevitably collapse. In fact, many couples sign prenuptial agreements without ever needing them.

The main purpose of a prenup or postnup is to decide the terms of a divorce if it ever comes to pass. This can help couples avoid the troubles of a contested divorce, which can unnecessarily prolong a divorce and burden both parties with legal fees. You might be interested in signing a marital agreement if you have significant properties or assets that you do not want to risk losing in a divorce.

The only difference between a prenup and a postnup is when the document is signed. Prenuptial agreements are signed before marriage, while a postnuptial agreement is signed during the marriage. If you are interested in signing an agreement with your spouse, do not hesitate to reach out to our firm for assistance.

What Terms Can a Prenuptial or Postnuptial Agreement Include?

Marital agreements are very flexible in what they can include. You might draft a prenup or postnup to clarify:

• What will become of the marital home in the event of a divorce
• Whether or not alimony will be awarded in your divorce
• How debts will be allocated if you get divorced
• How a family-owned business will be divided in a divorce
• Inheritance rights for children

At DM Family Law, we can review your prenuptial or postnuptial agreement to make sure nothing important is overlooked during the drafting of the document. We may advise you to include certain terms or clauses to protect your interests.

Legal Issues Surrounding Marital Agreements in Maryland

While couples have great freedom in deciding what to include in a prenup or postnup, there are limits as to what a marital agreement can stipulate. For instance, a marital agreement cannot include any terms about child custody or child support, as this could create a conflict with the child's best interests. Moreover, a marital agreement cannot include any legal action for the alienation of affections.

A signed marital agreement could also be challenged in court on various grounds, such as:

• Fraud
• Coercion
• Undue influence
• A grossly unfair clause or term

If your marital agreement has been challenged, our lawyer can help you defend it in court. We also represent clients who are looking to contest an unlawful marital agreement.

Meet With a Columbia, MD Marital Agreement Attorney

There are many practical uses for a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement in your marriage. To help make sure that the document stands up in a court of law, consider working with a Columbia, Maryland family law attorney at DM Family Law. To schedule a free initial consultation with our firm today, call our offices at 443-545-8100 or reach out to our Columbia marital agreement lawyer online.