There was a time when prenuptial agreements were thought to be something into which only the rich and famous entered. As we venture further into the 21st century, however, it is clear that a growing number of “everyday” couples are realizing the value in having one of these agreements in place before they walk down the aisle.
The Anton Legal Group has helped numerous couples in Florida draft and sign lawful prenuptial agreements, and we have also heard of our share of unique, if not downright ridiculous, clauses. Below are just some that have been witnessed by attorneys across the country.
Television Time
Sitting in front of the television is a great way to unwind and relax after a stressful day. For some couples, this time is so important that they want to include it in their prenuptial agreement. Some couples will try to define a period of time in which they can “reserve” the television for themselves (i.e. between 4pm and 7pm the wife can watch her television programs, and any time after that belongs to the husband) or they attempt to define specific periods where their spouse cannot take over the TV (i.e. during Super Bowl Sunday).
Shopping Trips
Brides and grooms-to-be have tried to incorporate shopping outings into their prenups. Either partner will request that the other partner spends “x” amount of time “y” days a month with them at the mall browsing and trying on clothing. One couple even tried to include in the clause that the spouse must honestly advise them on whether the article of clothing was “flattering”.
Household Responsibilities
Perhaps the most common of the “odd” clauses couples will try to include are household responsibilities. Most couples today are working couples and so they must work together to do the laundry, clean the bathroom, and so on. Some will try to include this in their prenup to make sure that the household responsibilities are fairly distributed.
What Can’t You Include in a Prenup?
With these strange demands in mind comes the question of what can and cannot be included in a prenuptial agreement. Depending on the state in which you live, this may vary though there are a few specific things which cannot be included:
- The visitation, support and the custody of your children
- Illegal items or actions cannot be included
- Unfair terms which are one-sided, unjust or deceitful are not permitted
- Non-financial requirements (like many of the above) cannot be included
- Verbal agreements
Prenuptial agreements may not seem romantic, but for couples who care about the future financial welfare, they are a logical step in your path to a stable and trusted relationship.
For those in Florida, the Anton Legal Group is on hand to answer your questions and discuss your concerns about signing a prenup with your loved one. We invite you to call us today at (813) 443-5249.