Prenuptial agreements can be very useful for helping a couple achieve goals together inside of a marriage — rather than weakening the strength of the relationship. When constructed with love and care, a strong prenuptial agreement can provide a framework for each spouse to better themselves through the marriage.
Prenuptial agreements cannot usually place restrictions on personal matters, but they can be used to set up a reward structure for certain beneficial behaviors, similarly to a will. In a will, a person may leave a beneficiary some property with the condition that the beneficiary only receives it upon completing college.
Similarly, a prenuptial agreement can offer conditional rewards as long as the terms are legal and do not deal with matters like personal religion or specific behaviors. For instance, a prenuptial agreement would likely not hold up in court if it stated, “Allison will receive a stipend of this much each month that she does not practice her Presbyterian faith.” However, a healthier, more legally sound version might state “Allison’s tuition and associated costs will be covered up to this amount should she choose to pursue her master’s degree.”
Prenuptial agreements often get an unfair appraisal in the public eye, but they are only a useful tool that can take on the intent of their creators. Once you understand the true strengths a prenuptial agreement can offer, it is clear to see why so many couples choose to use them to protect each other’s rights and ease pressures within the marriage. An experienced lawyer can help you understand the finer points of creating a prenuptial agreement and assist you as you craft a document that truly represents your relationship.