Broward County Divorce Law Blog

Prenuptial agreements provide a practical solution to financial protection in the event divorce. They apply to people of all financial statures, not just the rich. All couples, including those living in Broward County, have certain assets to protect. When couples create a prenuptial agreement in advance of conflict, unnecessary difficulties can be avoided.

The most common protection that prenuptial agreements provide for is future earnings. The agreements also shield the parties from future debt, which is particularly attractive during difficult financial times. When children from previous relationships are involved, parents may be concerned that they will lose their rights to life insurance proceeds, IRA accounts or other financial benefits that they would stand to inherit. A solid prenuptial agreement can provide financial security to the children, not to mention peace of mind to the parent. 

Just like your average Joe, even big-named celebrities get divorced. We have seen several celebrity couples have quick and dirty marriages. Kim Kardashian is infamous for her short-lived experience. But even marriages that have lasted for decades can come to an end. Sometimes, marriage commitments simply do not make it. That is the case for Jane Seymour and James Keach. According to sources, the couple is separated and have been apart for several months. At this time, the couple is settling several terms of their divorce.

The former pair is most notably known for their work together on "Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman." Seymour and Keach were married in 1993. The couple has twin 17-year-old sons together.

In Broward County, there are a variety of reasons for unmarried couples to establish paternity when they have children together.

Establishing a biological relationship between a father and child may prevent fathers from losing their children to adoptions without their consent or knowledge. Establishing paternity is also important for fathers who want to have parental rights and child custody or visitation rights. When mothers make sure biological relationships are established between their partners and children, mothers may be able to secure their ability to receive child support in the future.

Establishing paternity may give fathers parental rights in many cases, but there are some situations in which fathers may not be granted parental rights or child custody rights after establishing paternity. For example, a parent's addiction to alcohol or drugs, or a parent's struggle with a mental health problem may jeopardize one's parental rights and custody rights. And if a newly proposed bill is approved by Florida lawmakers, convicted rapists may also lose parental rights and custody rights of their children that are conceived from rape.

Agreeing to sign a prenuptial agreement may not be a romantic event for Florida couples, but it may be a very wise decision in the long run.

A prenuptial agreement may help to ensure one's wealth in the event of a divorce, and it may also help couples to address current financial concerns or issues before getting married. Although prenuptial agreements are legal contracts that determine how finances and property will be addressed and handled during divorce, there are some circumstances in which these contracts may not be enforced during divorce proceedings.

A prenup may be broken when one spouse can prove that the agreement was signed under illegal conditions. In some cases, prenups may not be enforced due to filing errors or other mistakes. And in a recent court decision, a prenup may also not be upheld in court during divorce proceedings when a spouse can prove that he or she was "fraudulently induced" to sign a prenup.