Whether you are getting married or moving in together, modern life means protecting your assets.
Get the information you need below:
Marriage Contracts
Marriage contracts (also referred as prenuptial agreements) are agreements entered into by two people who have plans to marry, and wish to agree on their respective rights and obligations during marriage, or upon separation, including:
- Ownership in or division of property,
- support obligations for spouses,
- the education and moral training of their children, but not the right to custody or access to their children,
- any other matters in the settlement of their affairs.
In Ontario, a marriage contract is valid whether it is signed before or after the marriage takes place, however, in some jurisdictions, these agreements are only valid if they are signed before the marriage takes place.
Marriage contracts are becoming more popular for a variety of reasons including:
- People marrying a little later in life, with accumulated assets and wealth, wish to protect themselves.
- People entering their second marriages want to ensure their children from their first marriages are financially protected.
Whether people wish to protect only certain property, or all property, current and future, they must be very specific. The couple must disclose all their assets, debts, and income, or risk the contract being successfully challenged in the future. Contact Shirley for a no-obligation consultation.
Cohabitation Agreements
A cohabitation agreement is entered into by two people who are cohabiting or intend to cohabit, are not married to each other, and wish to agree on their respective rights and obligations during, or upon ceasing their cohabitation, including:
- Ownership in or division of property,
- support obligations for spouses
Marriage Contracts and Cohabitation Agreements require a delicate balance in negotiating and drafting, to respect the parties’ commitment to the relationship, as well as taking into account each parties’ interests in future security in the event of a relationship breakdown.
Shirley can craft the agreement you need to protect your interests. Call her now for a no-obligation consultation.