Book Opener

MARRIAGE CONTRACTSAlthough the law does not require that the marriageagreement itself be in writing, certain contracts thatare associated with marriage must be in writing. Whywould two people enter into a prenuptial agreement?Example 5. Paul Vincenti proposed to his girlfriend, JoannaPanos, after six years of dating. Joanna accepted the proposaland immediately sent an announcement to the local newspaper.Three weeks after his marriage proposal, Paul changed his mindand informed Joanna that he didn’t want to get married after all.Paul is not liable to Joanna for backing out of the wedding, andJoanna will have to accept his decision.If one person agrees to marry another person in return for a thirdperson’s promise of money or property, the agreement must be in writing.A promise to adopt a child from a former marriage or to care for anotherrelative in return for a promise of marriage also must be in writing tobe enforceable.212 Unit 2: Entering Into Contracts