When couples divorce in Ohio it is very difficult to accurately predict how the couple's assets will be divided by a court. This is because no two divorces are exactly alike. This is especially true if the couple has substantial assets and high-net worth.

One way to avoid these uncertainties is with a pre-nuptial or post-nuptial agreement. In either case, a couple can designate who is responsible for certain liabilities, such as student loans or medical bills accumulating before or during the marriage. Assets and future earnings can also be predetermined, leaving a lot of stress and guesswork out of the calculation when facing divorce.

In addition, in many marriages, one spouse sacrifices their own career and ambitions for the sake of their marriage and family. Unfortunately, many of these same couples are faced with surprise if one spouse then actually expects an alimony payment upon divorce.

Post-nuptial agreements are one way that couples can lay out the ground rules when one spouse decides to make such a sacrifice and stay home with the children. By agreeing up front to minimum amounts of alimony or spousal support payments, that spouse would protect themselves financially in the event that the couple ends up in divorce.

Having a validly executed pre-nuptial or post-nuptial agreement is effectively like having insurance for your marriage if things do not go the way you had assumed. People buy car insurance in order to protect themselves if they get into a car accident, and this is the way couples should look at these types of agreements. No one expects to get divorced when they get married, but why not protect yourself just in case you do?

Source: U.S. News, "Why Almost Everyone Needs a Prenup," Feb. 8, 2012