Basics of Premarital or Prenuptial Agreements in Orlando, Florida
“Premarital agreement” means an agreement between prospective spouses made in contemplation of marriage and to be effective upon marriage.
“Property” includes, but is not limited to, an interest, present or future, legal or equitable, vested or contingent, in real or personal property, tangible or intangible, including income and earnings, both active and passive.
A premarital agreement must be in writing and signed by both parties. It is enforceable without consideration other than the marriage itself.
Parties to a premarital agreement may contract with respect to:
1. The rights and obligations of each of the parties in any of the property of either or both of them whenever and wherever acquired or located;
2. The right to buy, sell, use, transfer, exchange, abandon, lease, consume, expend, assign, create a security interest in, mortgage, encumber, dispose of, or otherwise manage and control property;
3. The disposition of property upon separation, marital dissolution, death, or the occurrence or nonoccurrence of any other event;
4. The establishment, modification, waiver, or elimination of spousal support;
5. The making of a will, trust, or other arrangement to carry out the provisions of the agreement;
6. The ownership rights in and disposition of the death benefit from a life insurance policy;
7. The choice of law governing the construction of the agreement; and
8. Any other matter, including their personal rights and obligations, not in violation of either the public policy of this state or a law imposing a criminal penalty.
The right of a child to support may not be adversely affected by a premarital agreement.
A premarital agreement becomes effective upon marriage of the parties.
After marriage, a premarital agreement may be amended, revoked, or abandoned only by a written agreement signed by the parties. The amended agreement, revocation, or abandonment is enforceable without consideration.
A premarital agreement is not enforceable in an action proceeding in a divorce under the Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure if the party against whom enforcement is sought proves that:
1. The party did not execute the agreement voluntarily;
2. The agreement was the product of fraud, duress, coercion, or overreaching; or
3. The agreement was unconscionable when it was executed and, before execution of the agreement, that party:
a. Was not provided a fair and reasonable disclosure of the property or financial obligations of the other party;
b. Did not voluntarily and expressly waive, in writing, any right to disclosure of the property or financial obligations of the other party beyond the disclosure provided; and
c. Did not have, or reasonably could not have had, an adequate knowledge of the property or financial obligations of the other party.
If a provision of a premarital agreement modifies or eliminates spousal support and that modification or elimination causes one party to the agreement to be eligible for support under a program of public assistance at the time of separation or marital dissolution or divorce, a court, notwithstanding the terms of the agreement, may require the other party to provide support to the extent necessary to avoid that eligibility.
An issue of unconscionability of a premarital agreement shall be decided by the court as a matter of law.
If a marriage is determined to be void, an agreement that would otherwise have been a premarital agreement is enforceable only to the extent necessary to avoid an inequitable result.
Any statute of limitations applicable to an action asserting a claim for relief under a premarital agreement is tolled during the marriage of the parties to the agreement. However, equitable defenses limiting the time for enforcement, including laches and estoppel, are available to either party.
________________________________________________________________________
Attorney Michael Fender has been representing spouses for 17+ years when their marriages come to an end. Mr. Fender represents Husbands or Wives in the Orlando, Florida area including Maitland, Winter Park, Lake Mary, Sanford, Altamonte Springs, Apopka, Casselberry, Oviedo, Ocoee, Winter Garden, Kissimmee, Deland, and Clermont. Please feel free to contact his office to schedule an appointment to discuss your rights and options with regard to custody, time sharing, parenting plans, equitable distribution of marital assets and debts, the marital home, alimony, child support, division of pensions, 401K’s, IRA’s and other retirement accounts. If you are in need of a lawyer for representation or advice, please contact Michael Fender’s office at 407-629-1886 or visit Attorney Fender’s website.