Craig Zotter & Associates

Pre-Nuptial Agreements

A Pre-Nuptial Agreement is a contract that establishes the property rights of each party should there be a divorce. It details the assets and debts of each party before they enter the marriage.

It is important to note that Pre-Nuptial Agreements may not be binding if they fail to make a full and fair disclosure of assets. If not prepared properly, the Agreement will not hold up in court.

A Pre-Nuptial Agreement can also address issues such as equitable distribution, alimony and child support. However, it should be noted that child support can always be modified.

Craig Zotter & Associates has the necessary experience in creating Pre-Nuptial agreements to know how to close the loop-holes, or if needed, how to find the loop-holes for our clients. Even if you have signed a Pre-Nuptial Agreement, you need to call Craig Zotter & Assocites and allow us to review the agreement to determine what can be done to protect your financal future.

Post-Nuptial Agreements

Pennsylvania low also allows for Post-Nuptial Agreements. These are agreements that can be negotiated after the wedding and are often used for estate planning purposes. For someone entering a 2nd marriage, they can be used to preserve assets for their children.

There are typically three kinds of postnuptial agreements:

1) An agreement which will provide for the assignation of marital property at the time of death of one spouse. These agreements typically have the surviving spouse waiving any rights to property they would have had the right to inherit under a will or statutory scheme.

2) Agreements that are for all purposes separation agreements. These agreements are entered into to avoid the time and cost of divorce proceedings. The disposition of property, other marital assets, custody, alimony and support and the like are agreed to by the marital partners upon separation and the agreement later, usually, incorporated into the final divorce decree.

3) The one most fixed in the mind of the public, are agreements that are an attempt to affect rights in the event of a future divorce, usually limiting or waiving alimony and/or support and the division of marital property, which includes property obtained before and after the marriage.

A Pre or Post Nuptial Agreement attempts to prevent non-marital property from becoming marital property. Individuals working hard to create wealth or inheriting an asset often want a Pre or Post Nuptial agreement.

Please call our offices at the U. S. Steel Tower to schedule an appointment to discuss how Craig Zotter & Associates can protect your financial assets through either a Pre or Post Nuptial Agrement. Call us at 412-201-1111.