How to Customize Your Own Prenuptial Agreement
Jessica Simpson and Eric Johnson are signing a prenuptial agreement before they get married. Simpson is reported to have asked for this agreement in order to protect herself, according to NY Daily News. When her marriage to Nick Lachey ended, he sued her for compensation. Customizing your own prenuptial agreement can't protect your heart, but it can shield your assets.
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Instructions
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Identify what property you want to shield. Make a detailed list so you are prepared to discuss items with counsel when you're ready to seek legal advice. Start an inventory on a spreadsheet and add to it as you discover more assets that need protecting.
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Identify the basic terms you want in the prenup. Develop a plan of any special provisions to address in the agreement before you talk to a lawyer.
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Research prenuptial agreements provided as samples. Reviewing other agreements, such as the free ones on Family.findlaw.com and Bravodelta.net websites, provides a better sense of what to include in yours. This research may help you redefine the assets you want to protect. Write down any terms or provisions you'd like included so you can instruct counsel.
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Seek legal counsel. Expect to pay $700 to $800 for a typical attorney-prepared prenup, according to Legalhelpmate.com. Call area lawyers or paralegals to find one in your price range. Legal counsel can help you customize the agreement as well as make suggestions for what to add if she determines you need to protect something you haven't mentioned. Finding legal counsel is critical because a competent lawyer or paralegal can prevent a layperson not familiar with legal jargon from writing an agreement that is too vague.
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Check your customized agreement. Carefully go over each item to assure nothing is left out.
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Keep the original either in a bank safe-deposit box, or in a fire-safe box.
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