Atlanta Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements Attorney
Skilled Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements Lawyers in Atlanta, GA
Prior to marriage you and your spouse can contract away your right to spousal support, determine child custody, and even distribution of property in the event you divorce. This is commonly known as a prenuptial agreement. Now, you have poured over the names and references given to you by your closest friends and family and checked those out on the Internet and selected the lawyer that you believe is best suited to help you through this process. Now you must begin to communicate the important details of your case to your lawyer and make some important decisions that may affect what your post-divorce life looks like. This will require many pieces of information and documents that your lawyer will need at the outset of your representation. This information and exchange of documents will occur at your initial meeting after you have hired your Atlanta Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements Attorney.
It is the life’s work and goals of Kessler & Solomiany, LLC attorneys to make a difference in your journey and the challenging journeys of families facing difficult times. We are dedicated to helping each and every client feel safe and secure and move through life with courage and knowledge as they create the outcome and future they desire and deserve. You owe it to yourself and your family to be fully prepared. In our nearly twenty-five years of practicing family law, we have been involved in almost every type of case. A good family law lawyer will give you honest advice, based on your best interests. We can be that good lawyer for you. Call us at (404) 688-8810 today.
How to Find the Best Lawyer for You
A lawyer who charges high fees or has a fancy office may not necessarily be the best lawyer for you and your case. As with hiring any professional, the key is learning about the lawyer’s experience and credentials. A lawyer’s track record and reputation are critical. You will also need to look at your budget and figure out how much you can afford to spend in legal fees. The American Bar Association’s Model Rules of Professional Responsibility—which many states’ bar associations model their own rules of professional conduct upon—states in Rule 1.5(a) that a lawyer shall not charge an unreasonable fee for their services. Rule 1.5(a) lists eight factors that should be considered in determining whether a fee is “reasonable.” These factors include:
- The time and labor required, the novelty and difficulty of the questions involved, and the skill requisite to perform the legal service properly
- The likelihood, if apparent to the client, that the acceptance of the particular employment will preclude other employment by the lawyer
- The fee customarily charged in the locality for similar legal services
- The amount involved and the results obtained
- The time limitations imposed by the client or by the circumstances
- The nature and length of the professional relationship with the client
- The experience, reputation, and ability of the lawyer or lawyers performing the services
- Whether the fee is fixed or contingent.
It is also important to note that Rule 1.5, Section (D) of the Model Rules of Professional Responsibility prohibits an attorney from entering into an agreement in any domestic relations matter, payment of which is contingent upon securing a divorce or upon the amount of alimony or support, or property settlement. Keep in mind that the Model Rules of Professional Responsibility are merely guidelines for your state’s bar association and often will not have been adopted as written. But to be clear, lawyers are prohibited from getting a percentage of the settlement as their fee in a divorce.
The factors mentioned above illustrate that a high-priced lawyer is not necessarily better; but generally, the best divorce lawyers charge more because their experience and results allow them to do so. However, if your case is simple and does not involve a large sum of money to fight over, a high-priced attorney may not be best for your needs. Many law firms will have associates and paralegals that can also work with you on certain aspects of your case, or can answer questions. Indeed, it is crucial that your lawyer has a support staff of paralegals, administrative assistants, and fellow attorneys that can aid them in the workload. More importantly, these professionals will charge a lower fee for their services, thereby lowering your total cost.
The most important thing is that you feel confident in your lawyer’s ability to handle your case competently. Talk to your lawyer. Get a sense that they are listening to you, and not just telling you what they tell everyone who walks in the door. Undoubtedly, it is best to have an experienced attorney; however, your attorney should look at your case with an open mind and a willingness to listen to your concerns. The role of your prenup attorney is to listen to your needs, communicate the process, and fight for you. You are hiring a professional. As the client, you have rights and privileges. You have the right to ask questions. You have the right to understand every step that you and your attorney take in this process. You have the right to say “no” if you are not comfortable with a tactic. Make sure you are comfortable with your choice of lawyer.
Prenuptial vs. Postnuptial Agreements
At Kessler & Solomiany, LLC, we can help you with all of your family law needs, including drafting:
These agreements are extremely similar, having most of the same requirements and covering most of the same information. The main difference is that a prenuptial agreement is written up and signed before marriage, while a postnuptial agreement is created after marriage. Both are equally valid and useful.
What To Include in Atlanta Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements
Generally, you may include any provisions that you and your spouse can agree upon. The caveat to this general rule comes when children are involved. When children are at issue, a provision must be in the best interest of the child. That being said, your settlement agreement may include provisions, for example, that divide your savings, debts, and property or even provisions for child support payments and child custody provided the payments and custody arrangement further the best interest of the child.
Depending on your religious beliefs or values, it is also important to outline in detail if there are any faith-related or religious-inspired actions that you want included in your proposal and agreement. Be sure you have talked with your religious or spiritual leader to be certain that you provide the supplemental language, if needed, to ensure that both parties cooperate with any religious-related procedures to effectuate a divorce within your religious beliefs. Courts are very resistant to getting involved in issues such as which religion is best for a child. Parents have a right to expose their children to their own religious beliefs, within reason, and the courts will usually respect that. In other words, whoever has legal custody of the children may decide things such as to which church does the child belong, will the child have a bar mitzvah or will a child observe Islamic, Jewish or other dietary rules. But most lawyers and judges will try to designate a parent as the final decision maker on that issue, only after each parent has consulted with the other in a good faith discussion about any such issue.
Enforcing an Agreement
Generally, to be enforceable a prenuptial agreement must be:
- Made with no duress or coercion
- Made with full financial disclosure from both parties
- Entered into knowingly by both parties
- Must not be “unconscionable.”
However, in many states, you may also enter into a contract after you are married, but before divorce. This is commonly known as a postnuptial agreement. To be enforceable, a postnuptial agreement must meet the same requirements as a prenuptial agreement. Regardless of when you enter into a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement, most jurisdictions will enforce the contract if the rules are followed. But again, please check with a lawyer in your area, as some states do not allow postnuptial agreements and the rules for prenuptial agreements do vary from state to state.
One such enforceable prenuptial or postnuptial agreement will override the division of property system in your jurisdiction. It is important to reiterate that a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement
- Must not be unconscionable
- There must be full financial disclosure between both parties
- It must be voluntary
Again, state laws vary, so you should rely on the advice of your attorney. If your prenuptial or postnuptial agreement is legally enforceable then you can stipulate your own terms for property division. For example, if you live in an equitable division of property state, your prenuptial agreement may stipulate that all marital assets will be divided equally (50/50). This effectively takes the discretion out of the hands of the judge. Conversely, if you live in a community property state, your prenuptial agreement may state that one spouse shall receive more or less than the other spouse at divorce. Again, despite the default rules in your jurisdiction to the contrary, you may agree to modify or override those rules.
Learn More: Are Prenuptial Agreements Always Enforceable?
Contact an Atlanta Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements Attorney Today
Speak to an Atlanta Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements Attorney right away! You are hiring a highly skilled professional to steer you through a major financial and personal undertaking. There is no real way to predict what will happen, how long it may take, whether you and your spouse will agree on everything, or how much money will be at stake, but your attorney can discuss all the options and variables, and give you a general ballpark estimate of the costs. Contact the Kessler & Solomiany, LLC at (404) 688-8810 to get started.