After You Sign a Prenuptial Agreement: What Santa Clarita Couples Should Do Next
Signing a prenuptial agreement is an important milestone, but it’s not the final step. After both partners sign, there are a few essential tasks that help ensure the agreement remains valid, accessible, and useful throughout your marriage.
1. Store the Original Document Safely
Keep the original signed prenup in a secure location, such as:
- A home safe
- A safe deposit box
- Your attorney’s files
Each partner should also have a clear, scanned copy.
2. Update Your Estate Plan
If you have (or plan to have) a will, trust, or other estate planning documents, make sure they align with your prenup. This ensures consistent handling of assets, inheritances, and beneficiaries.
3. Keep Track of Major Financial Changes
Significant changes in your financial situation do not automatically invalidate the prenup, but keeping documentation helps if questions arise in the future. Examples include:
- Selling or buying a home
- Starting or selling a business
- Receiving a large inheritance
- Taking on major debt
- Large changes in income
4. Consider a Postnuptial Agreement for Major Life Changes
If life circumstances shift dramatically—birth of a child, acquiring significant assets, changes in business ownership—a postnuptial agreement may be appropriate. This allows you to update terms without replacing the original prenup.
5. Share the Prenup with Your Estate Planning Team
If you work with a financial advisor or estate planning attorney, give them access to the agreement so they can coordinate your long-term planning.
6. Understand What the Prenup Does and Doesn’t Cover
A prenup clarifies property rights and financial expectations, but does not control:
- Child custody
- Child support
- Personal lifestyle or behavioral expectations
These issues are handled by California courts if ever needed.
7. Revisit the Agreement Periodically
It’s wise to review the prenup every few years to ensure it still reflects your goals. If it doesn’t, consult an attorney about whether amendments or complementary estate-planning documents are appropriate.
A prenuptial agreement works best when treated as a long-term planning tool—not a document that gets signed and forgotten. With proper storage, documentation, and communication, your prenup will serve its purpose if it’s ever needed.