Can My Fiancé’s Parents Force Me to Sign a Prenuptial Agreement?
When a couple gets married, they entangle two separate lives. This can mean joint-bank accounts, shared assets, and more. Additionally, families grow and expand through marriage, forming lots of new connections and relationships. As a result, things can get complicated. For example, you may not agree with your future in-laws on certain things. This is especially common when it comes to the controversial subject of prenuptial agreements. So what happens if your in-laws want you to sign a prenup but you don’t want to? Read on for more information.
What is a Prenuptial Agreement
There is a negative stigma surrounding prenuptial agreements. This is because prenuptial agreements declare what will happen to a couple’s assets in the event that their marriage ends due to divorce, death, or separation. No one wants to begin a marriage planning for these unfortunate events, but in reality, prenups do not indicate a lack of trust or an impending divorce. Instead, they allow couples to have important financial discussions early on in their relationship and to feel safe and secure. A prenup can be useful for any couple with any assets they want to protect. In some cases, parents may have certain assets they want to keep within the family, so when their child gets married, they may worry that these assets will be lost in a divorce. For this reason, they may try to pressure their child, or their child’s fiancé to sign a prenup.
What Makes a Prenuptial Agreement Valid?
A prenup is an important legal document. As a result, there are specific requirements that must be met in order for the document to be considered valid. To be considered valid, the prenup must:
- Be in writing
- Be executed voluntarily
- Include full disclosure at the time of the execution
- Be fair and just
- Be executed by both parties before a notary
Can I Be Forced to Sign a Prenup?
Because a prenuptial agreement must be signed voluntarily, you cannot be forced to sign. If there is evidence of manipulation or coercion, the prenup can be contested. If you and your future in-laws cannot see eye to eye when it comes to a prenup, you may want to speak with a family law attorney to explore other options.
If you have any questions or concerns about a prenuptial agreement, contact our firm today to discuss.
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