Revocable Trusts vs. Prenuptial Agreements: Which is Best?

YUMA,
Arizona. When it comes to protecting your assets when going into a new
marriage, couples have two major options: revocable trusts and prenuptial
agreements. Under the law, if you get divorced, any assets that have been
acquired during the marriage are generally considered community property and
subject to division. While assets that you bring into the marriage are
generally considered separate, over time, the waters can get muddy. For example,
if you and your partner merge bank accounts or pay off each other’s debts, it
can be difficult to separate what you earned together from what you earned
before the marriage. A prenuptial agreement or a revocable trust can clarify
some of these questions and doubts.

A
prenuptial agreement will clearly state which debts are separate and which
debts will be shared. Additionally, couples can stipulate which assets and
accounts are shared property and which will be separate. While it may seem
clear that an account with your name on it is yours, it might not be considered
clear in court should you get divorced, especially if you put money into that
same account after your marriage. A prenuptial agreement can outline how much
each of you brought into the marriage, so that if you get divorced, it is clear
that you’ll at least take that amount out, if it is available.

Another
option is a revocable trust. According to the Nest
,
this is a clearer way to keep assets separate that you may want to keep
separate. Couples may choose to use trusts rather than prenuptial agreements
because there is less stigma attached to them. Couples who have received
inheritance or couples who have earned money prior to the marriage may choose
to set up individual trusts for each partner to clarify who owns what.

However,
it is important to be careful when using a trust. If you put any money into the
trust after you get married, your partner could have a claim on the trust
should you get divorced. This is where a prenuptial agreement can help clarify
matters. However, it is important to seek legal advice should you plan to put a
prenuptial agreement in place. Prenuptial agreements must be carefully drafted.
There are many ways in which a prenuptial agreement can be declared invalid by
the court—from one or both parties’ failure to be represented by legal counsel
to claims of duress. If you are thinking about putting a prenuptial agreement
in place, consider speaking to the divorce lawyers at Schneider & Onofry,
P.C. in Yuma, Arizona
. We can review your unique financial and legal circumstances and help you draft
a prenuptial agreement that can withstand the test of court. However, don’t
wait until right before you get married to draft a prenuptial agreement. Doing
so, could render your agreement invalid because one or both parties can claim
that they were forced to sign the agreement under duress. The time to plan for
your financial future is after your engagement, not weeks before you get
married.

Schneider
& Onofry, P.C.

207 W. 2nd St.
Yuma, AZ 85364

928-257-4887