If you are getting married in Connecticut and have assets to your name, you may want to protect yourself in the event of a divorce. With Connecticut being a community property state, you could still lose some of your assets in a divorce if you had them before the marriage. One way to safeguard your assets is by entering into a prenuptial agreement.
Circumstances that would benefit from an agreement
People who bring their own money into a marriage may want this type of an agreement. For example, if you own a business, the company could be considered part of the marital estate if you make money from it while you are married. Family money could also be at risk if it becomes mixed with the marital estate during the union. Anyone with their own money should be considering how to protect it.
How a prenuptial agreement would help
The prenuptial agreement could help define the marital estate ahead of time and set out the terms for how it would be divided. It could specify that certain property such as an inheritance or business would be left out of the marital estate in whole or in part. It will give you protection and peace of mind in the event of a divorce. Many couples avoid discussing this type of agreement before they are married, but not having a prenuptial agreement is a risk if you have money or property.
If you are considering marriage and you have assets in your name, you may want to consult a divorce lawyer before the wedding. The lawyer may help draft and negotiate the prenuptial agreement with the other spouse and their attorney. Having your own lawyer might keep you from having to negotiate directly with the other spouse, so legal help may help make the process easier on both of you.
