Pre- and Post-Nuptial Agreements: An Overview

This course, presented by attorney and Certified Public Accountant John Kiritsis, provides a succinct yet comprehensive legal overview of the practice areas revolving around prenuptial and postnuptial agreements. In doing so, it dispels many myths that abound in those topical areas of the law. Although this is an ever-growing and potentially lucrative practice area for attorneys, it is also one of the most complex, often misunderstood, and prone to legal malpractice and legal ethics pitfalls.  

Statistics show that prenups and postnups are utilized by an ever-growing section of the U.S. population. This trend shows no signs of slowing down. As a matter of fact, many indicators point to prenups and postnups becoming even more mainstream, as far as marital contractual relationships are concerned. A solid understanding in this practice area would typically involve a practitioner drawing on legal principles from multiple subject areas, including matrimonial/family law, contract law, choice of laws, rules of professional responsibility, legal malpractice, asset protection, taxation, wills, and trusts, and real property.

Learning Objectives:

1. Explore the historical development of prenuptial and postnuptial agreement law in the U.S. 

2. Identify the key differences between prenuptial and postnuptial agreements

3. Address multi-jurisdictional issues and challenges with regards to a governing legal framework

4. Analyze key issues and considerations in planning, drafting, negotiating, finalizing, executing and enforcing prenuptial and postnuptial agreements

5. Review the myriad of Rules of Professional Responsibility and legal ethical issues confronting practitioners working in the prenup/postnup agreement practice areas