You’re having a romantic dinner, just the two of you, when the love of your life pops the question. It’s the moment you’ve been waiting for. You don’t even need to think about it. You breathlessly blurt out, “Yes, I’ll marry you!” After slipping a beautiful engagement ring on your finger, he asks another question, a question you were not expecting at a happy moment like this.
“Honey, will you sign a prenuptial agreement?”
You’re caught off guard. Do you:
a. Burst out into tears and ask him why he doesn’t trust you? Or
b. Discuss his reasons for wanting a prenuptial agreement and consider the possibility that it could be beneficial to both of you in the long run?
Let’s take a look at why “B” is the best option.
Why Hire a Prenuptial Agreement Lawyer?
In Colorado, couples have the legal right to enter into a contract before their marriage (“prenuptial”) to discuss property rights and other important issues. Prenuptial (sometimes called “prenups”) agreements are appropriate in many different situations, not just when one or both parties is very wealthy.
Prenuptial agreement lawyers do more than just protect a party who is entering a marriage with a disproportionately large amount of assets. In the absence of a prenuptial agreement and without a valid will, the law will decide what assets go to the surviving spouse no matter what the true intentions were of the deceased spouse; hiring a prenuptial attorney to sort out your affairs beforehand can save your loved ones from a lot of stress in an already dour situation. Moreover, it makes good sense for couples to understand what their financial rights and responsibilities are prior to entering into marriage. Our prenuptial agreement lawyers can expertly guide you through this process.
In jurisdictions that follow the Uniform Premarital Agreement Act – and most do – there are several requirements for a validly executed prenuptial agreement; it’d be wise to seek consultation from an experienced prenuptial attorney like Lewis & Matthews P.C. so that you don’t have to navigate this mine field alone.
First, the agreement must be in writing; there are no oral prenuptial agreements.
Second, the agreement must be executed voluntarily; if it is found that either party signed the agreement under duress or unfair pressure from the other side, it will not be enforced.
Third, the agreement must not be unconscionable; if it leaves one party destitute or places an unreasonable burden on one party.
Fourth, in order for a prenuptial agreement to be enforceable in Colorado, each party must adequately disclose his or her assets, liabilities, and income to the other party.
Fifth, an important requirement to ensure that a premarital agreement is enforceable, is to make sure that both parties have access to his and her independent attorneys.
Lastly, the agreement needs to be validly executed by both parties. In other words, the prenup needs to be notarized by a prenuptial attorney.
The contents of a Colorado prenuptial agreement typically cover:
- Property division
- Assets held before marriage
- Assets acquired during marriage
- Debts held before marriage
- Debts acquired during marriage
- Tax filing status
*A prenuptial agreement cannot contract for the custody of children (especially those not yet born). Similarly, a prenuptial agreement is not enforceable with regard to child support. You cannot validly predetermine how much you will pay in child support in a prenuptial agreement. The court will follow state guidelines.
Although hiring a prenuptial agreements lawyer is not the most romantic thing to think about as you’re about to get married, they can give you peace of mind knowing that you have a secure financial future. If you are considering a prenuptial agreement created for you and your soon-to-be spouse, you will need the help of an experienced prenuptial agreement lawyer. Our team at Lewis & Matthews P.C. can make sure that it is drafted correctly and is enforceable in court.
Reach out to our marital agreement attorney today by calling us at (303) 329-3802.
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Meet the Team
Meet the exceptional team behind Lewis & Matthews, P.C.
Jennifer Lewis – Managing partner Jennifer Lewis has been practicing law since she got her license in 1988. Since then, she has helped countless clients with family law, criminal law, estate planning and probate proceedings, personal injury and medical malpractice claims, zoning and land use planning, and general civil litigation.
Ms. Lewis’ compassionate, practical, and patient approach helps clients who are facing the challenges involved in family law matters.
Ms. Lewis acquired the firm from Ken and Leslie Matthews in 2015, after the two opted to transition into ‘of counsel’ roles.
Amanda Huber – As a legal assistant, Amanda helps with the daily tasks of sending legal correspondence and documents, preparing court filings, and scheduling, among other tasks. Amanda joined the firm in 2022 and has helped clients in all phases of their divorce.
Prior to joining Lewis & Matthews, Amanda worked at an upscale country club in San Diego, where she was born and raised.
Outside of work you can find Amanda wine tasting, gardening, and spending time with her beloved cat, Waffles.
Jackie Flanagan – Office manager Jackie Flanagan has been making sure that the office is running smoothly every day since she came in around five years ago. Ms. Flanagan’s long-term residence in Colorado also provides the firm with an important unique insight into the local scene.
Counties We Serve
We provide reliable family law and divorce services in the following counties:
Greater Denver Metro Area
Address: 1325 S Colorado Blvd, Suite 503, Denver, CO 80222
(303) 329-3802
Summit County and Eagle County
Address: 114 Village Place, Suite 206, Dillon, CO 80435
Phone Number: (970) 468-0240
