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Premarital AgreementsSometimes, before they marry, people enter into written agreementsconcerning the real and personal property they will own during theirmarriage. They set forth how their property interests will be handled ifthe marriage ends by death or divorce. A premarital agreement , alsocalled an antenuptial or prenuptial agreement, is made between prospectivespouses in contemplation of marriage and becomes effective uponmarriage. Figure 31.1 shows a sample premarital agreement. In makinga premarital agreement, you must make honest statements, and you andyour partner must fully disclose your assets to each other. In some states,a different attorney must represent each party.A premarital agreement must be in writing and signed by bothparties. Although laws vary from state to state, parties to a premaritalagreement generally may contract with respect to the following issues:l The rights and obligations of each of the parties with regard to any ofthe property of either or both of theml The right to buy, sell, manage, and control real and personal propertyl The disposition of real and personal property upon separation,divorce, or deathl The change or elimination of supportWedding BellsHome Economicsclasses are not just forgirls anymore. Increasingly,boys are takingthese classes, whichteach everything fromsewing to balancinga checkbook. Someclasses pair boys andgirls to work as couplespreparing for marriage.At the end of thesemester, havinglearned how to managea household, thecouples are married ina mock wedding ceremony.What could besome of the benefitsof premarital classesfor engaged couples?Get InvolvedFind out if there aremarriage laws in yourstate that are notcommon in other states.Write a report basedon your findings.RESOLVING POTENTIAL PROBLEMSSecond or third marriages can involve manydecisions and responsibilities. How would apremarital agreement help a couple resolvesome of these details?Chapter 31: Marriage 677