Full Description

The cake has been chosen, the reception hall reserved, and all the attire ordered. Creating a marriage contract is probably the last thing on your mind. However, by working with your spouse-to-be to design your particular marriage contract, you control the relationship and direct your future.

What to Do Before “I Do” takes the potentially unromantic idea of a prenuptial agreement and makes you see its importance to your relationship. Proper planning will answer questions such as—
Will your child continue to be cared for in the manner you wish if you pass away?
Is your fiancé’s debt your responsibility?
Can your wife claim your premarital property in a divorce?

People often enter marriage with only a vague understanding of their partner’s financial status. Even if you decide against a prenuptial agreement, after reading this book, you will realize how important it is to go into a marriage with your eyes wide open.

Table of Contents

Introduction -

A Quick Note to Readers

Chapter One. For Richer, For Poorer:Debt and the Married Couple
The Deal with Debt
Know What You are Getting Into
Joint Debt
Marital Debt
Tax Liability

Chapter Two. For Better, For Worse: Till Divorce Do Us Part
The State of Divorce
The Grounds for Divorce
The Basics of Marital Property Division
Understanding Marital Property
Understanding Separate Property
The Division of Marital Property
Special Categories of Marital Property
Spousal Support

Chapter Three. Till Death Do Us Part: Prenups and Estate Planning
An Overview of Estate Law
Dying Without a Will
When Your Spouse Can Rewrite Your Will
Life Insurance
QTIP Trusts

Chapter Four. Writing Your Own Vows: The Prenuptial Agreement
The Upsides of Prenups
The Downsides of Prenups
When You Should Seriously Consider a Prenup

Chapter Five. Doing it Right: Seven Rules for a Rock-Solid Prenup
Rule #1: Put your prenuptial agreement in writing and make sure you and your spouse-to-be both
sign it
Rule #2: Hire a lawyer to advise you on your prenuptial agreement and make sure that your
spouse-to-be does the same
Rule #3: Provide your spouse-to-be with the complete details of your personal finances and ask
for the same in return
Rule #4: Do not force your spouse-to-be to enter into a prenuptial agreement
Rule #5: Take care of your prenuptial agreement well in advance of your wedding
Rule #6: Make sure that your prenuptial agreement is fair to your spouse-to-be
Rule #7: Update your prenuptial agreement regularly during your marriage

Chapter Six. Anatomy of a Prenup: Topics to Consider
Divorce Provisions
Death Provisions
Money Management Provisions
Insurance Provisions
Lifestyle and Other Miscellaneous Provisions

Chapter Seven. Putting It all Together: A Sample Prenuptial Agreement -
An Introduction to Zack and Skye
Zack and Skye’s Financial Disclosure
The Terms of Zack and Skye’s Prenuptial Agreement
The Final Document: Zack and Skye’s Prenuptial Agreement

Chapter Eight. After the Honeymoon: A Postscript about Postnups
When to Consider a Postnup

Glossary

Appendix A. State-by-State Summary of Probate Laws

Appendix B. State-by-State Summary of Divorce Laws

Index

About the Author -

Excerpt

Editorial Reviews

Customer Reviews

Customer Reviews: