5 Reasons You Should Get A Prenuptial Agreement Or Cohab Agreement

When you are in love, the furthest thing on either of your minds is that the relationship will end. Instead, everything seems perfect at the very moment. You care for one another, finish each other’s sentences, and are committed to one another.

              

Yet, when your relationship reaches the point where you are getting ready to propose or consider moving in with each other, this is the time to start thinking about some of the reasons to get a prenuptial agreement or cohabitation agreement in place. A cohabitation agreement functions like a prenuptial agreement, except you and your partner are not legally married, yet live in the same household.

Initially, you may want a cohabitation agreement if you will be living together, and then have that agreement modified to become your prenuptial agreement should you become legally married. This is also known as a Marriage Contract.

Reason #1: Protect assets acquired before the relationship.

If you have investments, savings, stocks, bonds, or other such assets, you may wish to protect these if you acquired them before your current relationship. Once you are married, assets may be treated as joint property in certain cases. This means that if you get divorced, your partner could claim a portion of these assets.

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When Mediation Is Right For Me, What Are Some Benefits Of Using It?

Mediation during a divorce proceeding can be very beneficial for couples who are amicable, or at least willing to negotiate on various issues to finalize their divorce. Mediation is a process where a non-biased, third-party (known as the mediator) helps the couple reach decisions they both agree upon. The mediator does not decide for the parties but helps them make their own decision. Once mediation is completed, the legally binding agreements are presented to the Court.

Mediation can offer various benefits for both parties. Some of these advantages are:

#1: Reduces Time – With mediation, you can avoid lengthy litigation in court and shorten the process to get to a final resolution.

#2: Alleviates Stress – Divorce can be a stressful process with a lot of unknowns. By using mediation, you can eliminate most of the unknowns since you would be in charge of your matter along with the help of the mediator and possibly, counsel if you choose to go ahead with lawyer-assisted mediation. A Judge is not involved.

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When Is Requesting A Child Custody Modification A Good Idea?

Whether you and your ex-spouse arrived at the child custody agreement on your own or the court intervened, this arrangement is not easily changed just because one parent wants to make a change. Courts tend to scrutinize the reasons for wanting to modify the child custody agreement. Simply saying that the current schedule no longer works is not sufficient.

Yet, there are times when a modification to the child custody agreement can be a good idea when it is the best interest of your children.

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Deciding What Matters Most In A Contentious Divorce?

Any type of divorce can be stressful and difficult, even when the couple mutually agree to end the marriage amicably. If your marriage was already contentious, while the divorce can bring the relief you need, the actual procedure will almost certainly be difficult. Your future ex-spouse may be angry, may want to get even with you, or have a host of other feelings. They may even believe the reason the marriage failed is because of you.

To help alleviate the added stress and anxiety a contentious divorce can bring, you need to decide what aspects of the divorce matter most to you and your children, if applicable. While your divorce lawyer and the courts will ensure you get you an equal share of matrimonial assets, other aspects of the divorce can be much more important. Read more here…

When Your Spouse Doesn’t Want To Divorce

Deciding to end a marriage is an incredibly difficult decision, no matter what the mitigating circumstances are. Choosing to leave an unhappy or unhealthy marriage can be especially difficult when your spouse wants to try to salvage the relationship. Contrary to popular belief, a divorce can still proceed even if both spouses do not consent to the divorce.

Even if both spouses cannot agree about the topic of divorce, it does not mean the marriage must continue. If just one spouse wants to divorce, that spouse is well within his or her rights to file. However, blindsiding your spouse with divorce paperwork may cause them to feel backed into a corner, setting off a reactive chain of events that can make coming to an amicable resolution almost impossible.

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What Happens When My Spouse Refuses To Respond To Divorce Papers?

For many people, the prospect of divorce can be a stressful period of time in their lives. Things can become even more complicated when your spouse refuses to respond to the initial divorce papers you filed through your divorce lawyer and had served. Your entire life can seem like it is in limbo because you cannot proceed with the separation agreement, division of property agreement, and other aspects of the divorce process.

In some cases, your spouse may even refuse to leave the matrimonial home in hopes of a reconciliation. Some people have a difficult time accepting their marriage is over and acknowledging the divorce papers would be against what they currently believe. However in Canada, you do not need your spouse’s consent to obtain your divorce.

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What Is The Difference Between Mediation, Arbitration And Litigation In A Divorce?

When you decide to move to separate from your spouse, there are three potential ways in which to deal with the outstanding issues, such as the division of matrimonial property, child custody, child support and child visitation schedules. You can use mediation, arbitration or litigation, or a combination of all of these methods. It is always a good idea to consult with your divorce lawyer to determine which methods would be most appropriate for your particular situation.