Prenuptial Agreements in New York
Why You Should Protect Your Interests Before Saying “I Do”
The reality is that one in almost two first marriages will end in divorce. For second and third marriages, the divorce rate is even higher. According to legal and financial experts, having a prenuptial agreement is often a smart financial decision. A prenuptial agreement is a contract between two soon-to-be-wed people that spells out a number of important things, such as how assets will be distributed in the event of divorce or death, and many other factors, depending on your needs.
If you fall into some of the following categories, you may want to consider a prenup:
- You have premarital assets, such as real estate or pension plans you want to keep separate
- You own all or part of a business or professional practice
- You have children and/or grandchildren you want to protect
- One of you is considerably wealthier or earns more than the other
- You anticipate that you will be receiving a sizable inheritance
- You are taking care of loved ones, such as elderly parents
- You will be making sacrifices to support your spouse’s career
- You anticipate an income increase because of a business venture
- You are pursuing a career in a potentially lucrative profession
Approaching the Subject with Your Future Spouse
So how does one begin to discuss this touchy subject? It is advisable to do it as early as possible. The mention of a prenup shouldn’t come as a surprise if you and your future spouse have been open with each other throughout the relationship. By talking it over, you can let your soon-to-be spouse know that protecting property is important. We can help you.
You can offer something in exchange for the property you wish to protect. Both individuals can cover various assets and craft ways to be fair with each other. It can be arranged so that both parties get something positive out of the agreement. Second, be honest. You have to be real about why you want the prenuptial agreement. It may very well be the best way to begin a healthy marriage.
How We Can Help
If you would like to discuss the possible advantages and logistics of creating a prenuptial agreement with a New York matrimonial lawyer, we encourage you to schedule an initial consultation with the team at Lois M. Brenner, Esq. Our firm has been serving and protecting NYC families for more than 35 years, and, unlike any other divorce attorney, Lois M. Brenner is able to draw from decades of experience and use her medical expertise in interpersonal psychology to work toward the positive outcome you desire.
To learn more about prenuptial agreements, call Lois M. Brenner, Esq. today at (646) 663-4546.
-
I just wanted to take a moment to personally thank you for the wonderful job you did mediating our separation agreement and putting this document together. You not only saved us hundreds of thousands of dollars but helped avoid what would have been a disastrous future in court. I'm grateful you did not give up on us. If I ever am involved in another situation like this, and I hope I never am, I would certainly recommend your services.- J.M.
-
Lois was an absolute pleasure to work with. She worked on a prenuptial agreement for me. Our very first conversation put me at ease. She was interested in my upcoming marriage and wedding. She assured me the prenuptial agreement could be drafted quickly. She made intelligent recommendations to address some of my complex financial decisions. She also made sound suggestions to protect my multi-million dollar portfolio. Our wedding is coming up and will be a lot smaller than we originally thought due to COVID-19, but Lois Brenner got our prenuptial agreement done in time, and made it a lot more pleasurable experience than I thought it would be. I would recommend Lois to anyone seeking a truly skilled attorney to draft their prenuptial agreement.- Glen Mearns
-
Lois Brenner is a remarkable attorney and compassionate advocate for dads. She guided me when I was confused and didn't know what to do to get shared custody of my daughter. She encouraged me to stay strong and to fight, and she negotiated a much better custody arrangement than my previous lawyer. What great attorney. Thank you Ms. Brenner- Christoff
-
I had read about Lois’ unusual divorce method in one of her blog posts. It was refreshing to see someone was working with the psychological issues in divorce. My husband is bipolar and getting him to agree to a divorce and commit to the process was tough. When we met with Lois she really understood him. She immediately identified his mental health issues, and because she has a psych background, she was empathetic to his needs and was skillful at guiding him through her divorce mediation process. It took a while but she really got us to a point where we could actually discuss things without my husband blowing up. Her method is unique and it really helped in our situation. She actually recommended a great psychiatrist who changed my husband’s meds at her urging (she has a medical degree too), and my husband is coping much better. We can’t thank her enough for her compassion and advice! If you need a divorce attorney, especially if mental illness is a part of the fabric of your marriage, go see Lois! Thanks Lois - Lorna P.
-
I am a highly successful money manager and before meeting Lois Brenner, hiring a divorce attorney was a disaster. Two previous divorce attorneys really wasted my funds, and had no savvy when it came to asset and property distribution. Lois Brenner finally fixed the mess I was in. She and her team of financial experts, including attorney Matthew Ehrlich were able to prepare an asset and property distribution that was realistic, keeping in mind tax ramifications, and important distributions and allocations. They negotiated a thorough and financially sound divorce settlement. If you have a lot of assets, just any divorce attorney won’t do. You really need someone with a lot of knowledge. Lois Brenner and Matthew Ehrlich were really impressive. Thanks!!- Michael C.
-
Lois Brenner was great to work with. She was very thorough and efficient! I would recommend Lois to anyone seeking an amicable divorce.- RW
-
Best Divorce Lawyers in NYC!! I can’t say enough about Lois Brenner. She saved my life. I was really being abused by my husband. I wanted a divorce, but I was scared to leave. Hiring her provided me with a support system that helped me break free of a destructive marriage. She, along with her team of professionals, and her litigation colleague Matt really gave me the backbone to step up and out. My children are safe, I’m back at work, and we are no longer afraid. The ongoing legal and personal support made all of this possible. Working with Lois and Matt was a life-changing experience. Katie M.- Katie M.
-
When I first decided to hire a divorce attorney, I thought a male attorney would be best. Lois Brenner really surprised me. Although she has written a divorce book on women’s rights, she is totally an advocate for men as well. She really understood how much I loved my kids, and listened and understood all the horrible things my wife was doing to destroy their relationship with me. She didn’t miss a beat and really went to bat for me. She reached out to my wife’s attorney every time my wife made any attempt to disrupt my visiting our kids and always demanded the best results. She made herself available, even when she was on vacation! Lois has been there every step of the way in these difficult circumstances. I highly recommend her.- Sam
