When are Prenups most appropriate?

Generally speaking, in those cases where:

• One person has much more property than the other when the relationship begins;
• One person is, or may later become, entitled to an inheritance or gift;
• You are moving into a second or subsequent relationship where children from former relationships might need to be protected financially, or
• You both simply want to make sure the terms of any property division are agreed up front and will not end up the subject of protracted and invariably costly litigation.

Are Prenuptial Agreements Binding?

These agreements are not binding unless the formal requirements under the Australian Family Law Act are met.

The Agreement will only be binding if the following requirements are satisfied:

• The agreement is signed by all parties;
• Before signing the agreement, each party was provided with independent legal advice about the effect of the agreement on the rights of that party and about the advantages and disadvantages to the party making the agreement;
• Before signing the agreement, each party was provided with a signed statement by his or her respective lawyer certifying that the advice referred to above was provided to that party;
• A copy of the statement referred to in 3 above was provided to the other party;
• The agreement has not been terminated and/or has not been set aside by a Court.

Couples may choose to enter into an informal agreement (which can be written or verbal), but any such agreement is not legally binding (enforceable) by a Court.

Such agreements can however be taken into account by a Court if a judicial determination is required to be made.

Can you cancel or change an agreement?

In certain circumstances, either party has the right to challenge a legally binding agreement.
Couples can agree to vary the terms of – or even terminate – an agreement. If your partner does not agree, you must prove:

• There was a fraud (dishonesty) including non-disclosure of a material matter at the time the Agreement was made;
• The agreement is not practical to carry out (not merely inconvenient);
• The other person has acted in an unethical or unfair way. (For example, a party has entered into the agreement for the purposes of attempting to defraud or defeat a creditor or creditors).

What can a Prenuptial Agreement cover?

• How a couple’s assets and money will be divided in the event of a future separation. This also includes assets such as a family business, a trust, investments, an entitlement to an inheritance, superannuation or even a pension entitlement. It also includes debts and liabilities of the relationship such as an obligation under a contract.
• The financial support (maintenance) of either party (during the marriage and/or after divorce), and
• Any other incidental issues particular to you and your relationship.

Legal advice

It is highly recommended that you obtain legal advice from a lawyer who has sufficient experience and expertise to advise about Binding Financial Agreements if you:

• Are considering signing a financial agreement (or consent order); or
• Seek to change or cancel an existing financial agreement or consent order.

The failure of a party to obtain the correct and independent legal advice can (in certain circumstances) give rise to a court setting aside the agreement.

More information

For more information on prenuptial agreements, divorce or other family matters, please contact our senior family lawyer, Mark Orchard, for a free initial consultation.
Phone: 07 4639 0358
Email: morchard@cp484.ezyreg.com