Can Prenuptial Agreements Prevent Alimony in Orlando?

If you’re concerned about paying alimony in the future, you might want to consider a prenuptial agreement. Alimony in Orlando may not last forever, but it can still represent a major financial blow for divorcing spouses. A prenuptial agreement could help you limit this financial consequence and many others. But is this type of contract really enforceable? How does a prenup prevent alimony? These are questions you might want to ask an experienced alimony attorney in Orlando.

Prenuptial Agreements Can Prevent Alimony 

As long as you draft it correctly, a prenuptial agreement can prevent you from paying alimony in Florida. The only thing these contracts can’t prevent is child support, which is something the family court ensures. On the other hand, alimony may be forfeited by spouses who sign prenuptial agreements. As long as the agreement is conscionable and free from duress or misrepresentation, it is legally valid.

Why Would a Spouse Agree to Forfeit Alimony With a Prenup? 

The real question is why a spouse would voluntarily agree to forfeit these payments. Perhaps the spouse agrees that alimony is a somewhat archaic concept. Perhaps they want to put their fiancée at ease before signing the marriage contract.

Many spouses also agree to forgo alimony because they want something else in return. This might be a cash payout (lump-sum alimony), a vehicle, a share of the family business, or something else entirely. A prenuptial agreement can facilitate these trades and deals.

One also has to remember that circumstances can change dramatically over the course of a marriage. A higher-earning spouse may suddenly lose their job or their business after the marriage. As a result, the one who seemed to be in a position of financial power may suddenly become dependent on the other spouse.

In these kinds of situations, spouses may be thankful that they mutually agreed to eliminate alimony from the equation.

Is a Prenuptial Agreement Really Worth It if Alimony Isn’t Permanent in Florida? 

You might be wondering whether a prenuptial agreement is truly worth your time, given the fact that permanent alimony has been abolished in Florida. In the end, this is a question you’ll need to answer yourself based on your unique circumstances. The cost of a prenuptial agreement may seem high, but it could pale in comparison to even a few years’ of alimony.

This is especially true for high-net-worth couples, who may end up facing alimony arrangements worth tens of thousands of dollars per month. Spouses might want to discuss their unique family circumstances with alimony lawyers before deciding whether to create prenuptial agreements.

Can an Orlando Alimony Lawyer Help Me? 

An Orlando alimony lawyer may be able to help you limit financial consequences in many ways. If you have not yet married, your lawyer may help you assess the benefits of a prenuptial agreement. If you’re already married, your lawyer may be able to help you limit alimony in other ways. To continue this discussion, contact Steve Marsee, P.A. today.

Source:

leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0000-0099/0061/Sections/0061.079.html