May
2
2019
How Prenups Dovetail With Estate Planning
How prenups dovetail with estate planning
In a previous blog, I discussed why prenups may be beneficial to a couple marrying, whether or not they are rich and famous. A key reason to have a prenup is to contractually bind the other spouse to a plan for the disposition of both estates on the death of either of them. In absence of the prenup, unless the couple draws up a joint, contractual will, each spouse is free to change their will at any time, during or following the death of the other spouse. Joint, contractual wills are rarely done.
Protection of Inheritance for children brought into the marriage
If the spouses want to protect the inheritance not only for the survivor of the two of them, but for their children from prior marriages or other heirs, the prenup is a good way to do this.
This means that a prenup can be a very important estate planning tool. For a couple contemplating marriage, especially if each of them brings children into the new marriage, providing for how those children will be dealt with on the death of each of the spouses can be a critical factor in gaining approval of the marriage by all the children.
In a typical will, a husband will leave everything on his death to his wife, and vice versa. In absence of a binding contractual agreement then, such as the prenup, the surviving spouse could change their will to completely cut out the other spouse's children following his or her death. I've seen this happen numerous times and it tears families apart forever.
Consideration for substantial caregiving by spouse
Another consideration is whether the spouse that comes into the marriage with substantially less property than the other should be guaranteed some portion of the other spouse's separate property on his or her death. Again, in the absence of the contractual obligation, the spouse with less could end up with virtually nothing, after a long marriage in which that spouse spent substantial time and effort taking care of the wealthier spouse. Many times, this seems grossly unfair and leaves bitter feelings.
Prenup as part of total estate planning package
The same kind of estate-related provisions can be drafted separately from a prenup, but a couple entering into a marriage where a prenup is wise should definitely take advantage of this estate planning opportunity as part of the whole package. Wills can and probably should be drawn up for each spouse at the same time, which mirror the provisions of the prenup for distribution of property on the death of either spouse. The prenup also would refer to the wills and provide that the provisions in the wills are contractually binding. The prenup trumps other general estate planning laws, binding each spouse to those provisions unless they both agree to make changes during their joint lifetimes.
Next steps to drawing up a prenup
If you are contemplating marriage and would like to discuss the wisdom of drawing up a prenup, contact Adair M. Buckner for a free initial consultation*.
*(The free consultation does not cover actual review of documents or giving legal advice on a specific situation.)
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