Royal Engagement Illustrates the Importance of Consulting a Qualified Attorney before Marriage

Prince William recently announced that he and his long-time girlfriend, Kate Middleton, are engaged.  The couple met nearly eight years ago while attending the University of St. Andrews in Scotland.  The prince decided to propose to Middleton while on a vacation in Kenya, and he surprised her with his mother’s sapphire and diamond engagement ring.

With the announcement of the engagement, the legal field has been buzzing with discussion on whether or not the royal couple will enter into a prenuptial agreement prior to marriage.  While prenuptial agreements were previously not valid in the United Kingdom, a landmark case settled earlier this year has paved the way for the prenup’s validity in England.

Prenuptial agreements have been enforceable in California for decades.  In fact, a prenuptial agreement is a very effective tool for couples thinking about getting married but wishing to protect their assets.  When drafted properly, these documents can help couples decide issues relating to rights and responsibilities during marriage and the division of assets upon a subsequent divorce.  However, it is essential that a California prenuptial agreement be drafted by an experienced, licensed attorney to ensure it will be enforceable down the road.

For more information on prenuptial agreements, please contact us.  Please remember that each individual situation is unique and results discussed in this post are not a guarantee of future results.  While this post may include legal issues, it is not legal advice.  Use of this site does not create an attorney-client relationship.

Sources:

ABA Journal

ABC News