Washington has many laws and rules that generally apply when a marriage is terminated by divorce or the death of a party. The court uses these laws and rules to divide property and debts and consider or establish provisions for spousal support and payment of attorney’s fees.

Washington law provides, however, that under certain circumstances a couple can enter into a valid contract by which they can establish their own rules to settle their financial affairs in the event of divorce or death. If the agreement is signed before the parties marry, it is often called a prenuptial agreement. If the agreement is signed after marriage, it is generally called a postnuptial agreement. Having such an agreement can create more certainty regarding financial terms should the parties divorce and potentially avoid expensive divorce litigation.

We have experience assisting clients who are contemplating entering into a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement. We can draft an agreement for you or we can help you understand an agreement that was prepared by or for your fiancé or spouse. Our objective is to listen to you to understand why you or your spouse want a marital agreement and what you would like your agreement to accomplish. We then work to help you understand the agreement and how the agreement might act to modify rights that you or your spouse might otherwise have in the absence of the agreement.