With so many celebrity marriages ending in divorce, the need for a prenuptial agreement is growing in significance. Part financial planning, part legal document and part romance-killer (allegedly), a prenuptial agreement isn’t just for wealthy folks and/or celebrities. Despite its reputation, there are actually some real benefits to having a prenuptial agreement.

1. You can protect your assets

Prenups protect assets, so they are excluded from the pot of assets on separation or divorce. They can also make specific provisions for what one party should receive on separation or divorce, thereby securing parties’ positions for the future. A prenup also avoids uncertainty and in turn disputes, providing reassurance that the parties are together for the right reasons and not simply because one is wealthy.

2. You can come clean

Prenups preserve the expectations of the parties and prevent surprises in the event of a divorce. For a prenup to stand the best chance of being enforced by the Court, there should be an exchange of full and frank disclosure between the parties prior to entering into the terms of the Agreement.

3. You can protect the financial stability of your children

Upon your death, a prenup may award certain property to your children instead of your surviving spouse. Consider that the surviving spouse can do what they wish with your property, including give it to their family or other children. I often recommend to my prenup clients that they return to my office after the honeymoon to draft an estate plan. Prenups do not protect from probate.

4. You can protect family assets or property acquired before the marriage

A prenup agreement may ensure that family heirlooms remain in your family by requiring that they be given to a named family member instead of your surviving spouse.

5. You can evenly distribute debts

Prenups can determine how liability for debts will be distributed between the partners. They can also help protect each party from issues with creditors.

Actually, there a lots more than just 5 reasons to say “I do”. If you are interested in learning more, please give us a call. A prenuptial agreement is a powerful, protective document for anyone who is contemplating marriage. Such an agreement can protect your interests and goals going into a marriage and ensures that an unsuccessful marriage does not permanently injure you or your family members.

New Family Code section in California effective as of January 1, 2019 allows the court to make orders regarding “custody” (aka ownership and/or temporary care orders) in dissolution proceedings.

New Family Code §2605 states that the court, at the request of a party to proceedings for dissolution of marriage or for legal separation of the parties, may enter a temporary order, while the case is pending, that a party is required to care for the family pet. The existence of an order providing for the care of a pet animal during the course of legal proceedings for dissolution of marriage or for legal separation of the parties shall not have any impact on the court’s final determination of ownership of the pet animal.

Further, at the request of either party, courts can now assign sole or joint ownership of a pet animal taking into consideration the care of the pet animal. “Care” includes, but is not limited to, the prevention of acts of harm or cruelty, as described in Section 597 of the Penal Code, and the provision of food, water, veterinary care, and safe and protected shelter.

“Pet animal” means any animal that is community property and kept as a household pet