Under Australian Law, prenuptial contracts are also known as Binding Financial Agreements

Issues concerning prenuptial agreements often appear in the media, especially when it involves celebrities who are planning to marry or obtain a divorce. Before entering marriage, affluent couples normally reach for an agreement on how they would divide their resources and obligations in case the separate. Through a pre-nuptial agreement, parties can secure their financial assets and negotiate beforehand whatever issue that may arise after separating.

Under Australian Law, prenuptial contracts are also known as Binding Financial Agreements (BFAs) which can be joined by couples in three occasions: 

• Before they start a de facto relationship or enter into marriage
• At the start of the de facto relationship or marriage
• After the separation or breakdown of marriage

Pre-nuptial agreements are not only for wealthy partners. To reduce the disputes that may occur in a post-separation process, partners are encouraged to have a pre-nuptial contract regardless of the economic position in life.

Entering into a pre-nuptial agreement can be misleading itself. Non-disclosure of resources and duress are typical pitfalls of pre-nuptial contracts that partners can fall unto when not being cautious. It should be mentioned that the judge provides strict legislation which partners should follow to prevent the dismissal of the case.

To prevent the typical errors in entering pre-nuptial agreements, partners should seek individual legal advice from professional lawyers. The purpose is to notify the partners of the terms and effects of the pre-nuptial agreement before partners can sign the agreement. Having this knowledge is important to make the contract valid and enforceable. The court also requires that the legal advice must be given by lawyers under the Australian jurisdiction. If the legal advice came from overseas lawyers, the case might be set aside by the judge. When creating the prenuptial agreement, the lawyers of the partners are required to be present.

Couples should put whatever agreement they have achieved into writings or Binding Financial Agreement with the presence of their lawyers. To confirm the same, the lawyers will also sign a Declaration of Independent Legal advice and attach it with the BFA.

If you are planning to get married and you sensed the need to start a pre-nuptial agreement, do not think twice about contacting our family lawyers for timely advice catered to your situation. Discussing your family issue with a qualified family lawyer will best help you avoid the potential pitfalls of pre-nuptial agreements.