Gailor Hunt Has Been Named The BEST Family Law Firm By Raleigh Residents Two Years In A Row! See The 2023 Award HERE.

Prenuptial Agreements

Get In Touch Today

Contact Us
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Prenuptial Agreements

Video: Is a Premarital Agreement Right for Me?

In North Carolina, premarital agreements (also called “prenuptial agreements” or “prenups”) are governed by the Uniform Premarital Agreement Act, found in Chapter 52B of the North Carolina General Statutes. While the idea of a premarital agreement may be familiar to many people, some aspects of a premarital agreement are often misunderstood. This article will help clear up some misconceptions about premarital agreements and provide some key points to consider when deciding if a premarital agreement is right for you.  

What is a Prenuptial Agreement?

A premarital agreement is a contract between prospective spouses setting forth how their assets, debts and future income will be handled in the event of a divorce or the death of one of the spouses.  In addition, the premarital agreement can include terms related to spousal support, including a waiver of spousal support. 

What is Required For a Prenuptial Agreement in NC?

The requirements for a premarital agreement are simple. One can be created from scratch or from an existing template, but it must be in writing and signed by both parties. The agreement will become effective once the parties are married.   A premarital agreement requires both parties to be fully transparent with regard to their financial situation at the time they sign the  premarital agreement – if both parties do not fully disclose their financial situation to the other, the court may find that the prenup is void.

What Type of Issues can a Prenuptial Agreement Address in NC?

A premarital agreement can address many different types of financial issues: 

The rules as to how certain assets will be handled pursuant to the premarital agreement can differ greatly from how a court may handle the disposition of assets based on the equitable distribution laws in North Carolina.  For example, a premarital agreement can define income earned during the marriage as one party’s separate asset; whereas, our equitable distribution statute would define income earned during the marriage as classified as marital property.

Does a Lawyer have to Prepare the Prenuptial Agreement? 

A lawyer does not have to prepare the premarital agreement.  If a lawyer is hired to draft the premarital agreement, it is important to understand that it is a conflict for one lawyer to represent both parties so each party should have their own attorney to prepare and review the premarital agreement before the agreement is signed.  A lawyer is helpful to ensure the agreement is enforceable and to make sure it does not include a provision that could make the agreement void or otherwise unenforceable. 

The parties can contract with respect to almost all matters, except those that would violate public policy or violate the law.  Some examples of provisions that Premarial Agreements cannot address include: 

Who Should Consider a Prenuptial Agreement?

Considering and ultimately executing a premarital agreement does not mean you expect your impending marriage will fail. Premarital agreements are simply a way for parties to make marital arrangements—in writing—around financial issues in anticipation of marriage, regardless of the success or failure of a marriage.  You should consider a premarital agreement if any of the following apply to you:

Want to Learn More about Prenuptial Agreements? 

The experienced lawyers at Gailor Hunt Davis Taylor & Gibbs, PLLC can assist you. Contact us today to set up your consultation to learn more.

gailor hunt attorney
The content on this page was authored and reviewed by Gailor Hunt Davis Taylor & Gibbs, PLLC divorce attorney Melissa J. Essick. You can learn more about Melissa's experience and expertise on her bio page. If you have a question about this page, you can email Melissa at messick@divorceistough.com.