Chicago Prenuptial Agreement Lawyer

Attorney in Cook County for Postnuptial Agreements Between Married Spouses

When a couple is planning to get married, they may spend several months or more planning their perfect wedding. Each detail carefully is considered, discussed, and arranged so that, when the big day comes, there are no unpleasant surprises.

At The Law Offices of Curtis Bennett Ross, LLC, we believe that it is just as important, if not more so, for a couple preparing to "tie the knot" to look beyond the wedding day and to offer the same type of consideration to preparing for the marriage itself. For many couples, such consideration and planning can lead to the development of a prenuptial agreement that offers long-term security and peace of mind to both parties. If you will soon be getting married, our team can help you understand how a prenuptial agreement will work for your situation. If you are already married, it is not too late; a postnuptial agreement may be an appropriate alternative.

Illinois Counsel for Prenuptial Agreements

The Uniform Premarital Agreement Act (UPAA) was drafted with the intent of standardizing the laws used by many states regarding premarital or prenuptial agreements. Illinois is one of 27 states that use the UPAA, as the Illinois legislature adopted the UPAA in 1990. The Illinois version of the law was enacted as the Illinois Uniform Premarital Agreement Act.

Under the law in Illinois, future spouses can negotiate prenuptial agreements to address a wide range of financial and property issues. While some people believe that signing a prenuptial agreement is an indication that you do not trust your partner, many others find that the process of creating the agreement teaches them a great deal about how to discuss money and other difficult topics.

Many prenuptial agreements are geared toward preparing for the possibility of a future divorce. The experienced team at our law firm is equipped to help you and your spouse develop an agreement that:

• Identifies specific assets or debts as marital or separate property, including homes, business interests, and complex retirement investments
• Makes provisions for spousal support
• Protects inheritance rights for children from a previous relationship
• Specifies expectations for life insurance policies, including beneficiary information
• Addresses any other concern the couple may have

A prenuptial agreement cannot waive or compromise the rights of a child under any circumstances. You also cannot use a prenuptial agreement to make arrangements for parental responsibilities (child custody) or child support. These types of concerns must be addressed at the time of the divorce, and they cannot be made in advance.

Trusted Attorney Counsel for Postnuptial Agreements in Fremont

Attorney Curtis Bennett Ross is an accomplished family law attorney with more than 30 years of experience. He understands that when a married couple is beginning to see signs of financial concerns, a postnuptial agreement could provide a solution that allows them to salvage their relationship. For example, a failed family business, emerging health concerns, or just the spouses' advancing age could all create issues that a postnuptial agreement can address. A postnuptial agreement can include virtually all of the same considerations that can be addressed in a prenuptial agreement. The primary difference is that a postnuptial agreement is signed after the marriage has begun. In some cases, a postnuptial agreement can even be used as a tool for a couple looking to conditionally resume their marriage after a legal separation.

Protecting Your Rights

In order for a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement to be enforceable in the future, it needs to be reasonably fair to both parties. Both parties must also be given sufficient time to review the document with an attorney before it is signed. If any of the terms of the agreement are found to be unconscionable or a spouse was intentionally deceptive in the creation of the agreement, the affected provisions may be set aside by the court.

At The Law Offices of Curtis Bennett Ross, LLC, we recognize the value of a strong, reasonable a prenuptial and postnuptial agreements. With this in mind, we are committed to helping couples negotiate the terms of an agreement that can provide financial security and peace of mind.

Get the Help You Need

To learn more about prenuptial agreements or postnuptial agreements, or to begin the process of creating one, contact our office. Call 312-984-1514 to schedule a limited free consultation with Attorney Curtis Bennett Ross today. We help individuals, couples, and families in Chicago, Lincoln Park, Bucktown, Wicker Park, Gold Coast, Old Town, The Loop, and the rest of Cook County.