Nevada adopted the Uniform Premarital Agreement Act ("UPAA") in 1989. Premarital agreements (sometimes called "prenuptial agreements") executed before then are evaluated under the case law decided previously. A premarital agreement must be in writing and signed by both parties, and can govern questions of property, debts, and alimony, during life and upon death. Such an agreement may not decide child custody, visitation, or support.

A premarital agreement is not enforceable if the party against whom enforcement is sought proves that it was not executed voluntarily, was "unconscionable" when executed, or if that party did not receive a fair and reasonable disclosure of the property or financial obligations of the other party (or waive that right, knowingly, in writing). Reviews can be strict. The Nevada Supreme Court has stated that there is a presumed fiduciary relationship between fiances, and a presumption of fraud exists where such an agreement greatly disfavors one of the parties.

Generally speaking the most important factors governing validity of a premarital agreement are the common-sense ones of full disclosure and availability of independent counsel. The best way of avoiding later claims of oppression, fraud, duress, etc., is to ensure that none such occurs, so that there could be no evidence of any such behavior. Premarital agreements should be negotiated as far in advance of the wedding ceremony as possible, since agreements signed on the eve of (or even during) the wedding ceremony have been struck down as having been inherently signed under duress.

Agreements made between couples after marriage fall into two categories: (1) postnuptial agreements; and (2) separation agreements (also sometimes called property settlements, marital settlements, and marital termination agreements).

"Postnuptial agreements" are agreements between spouses who intend to remain married and living together. "Separation agreements" are agreements between spouses who intend to separate. The distinction is important for many reasons, not least of which is authority indicating that if the facts show that the parties did not separate after executing a "separation agreement," the agreement can be attacked as void.

If the parties executed a postnuptial agreement, then they occupy a "confidential relationship" as in the context of prenuptial agreements, so that full and fair disclosure must be made, the parties must have a opportunity to consult counsel, and the agreement cannot be unconscionable. On the other hand, if the parties have executed a separation agreement, the parties may be held to not occupy a confidential relationship, and some cases permit a finding that the burden is on each party to discover the other party's income and assets in preparation for divorce. Thus, the type of agreement at issue dictates the factors to be reviewed in determining its validity.

A husband and wife may not enter into a postnuptial agreement limiting one spouse's duty of support to the other where they continue to live together as husband and wife. If the agreement purports to be an integrated agreement, that invalidity renders the entire agreement unenforceable.

WILLICK LAW GROUP has considerable experience drafting and negotiating all such types of agreements, and litigating the validity of those involved in divorce cases. Where appropriate, we will draft, or review, any premarital, postnuptial, or marital settlement agreement. As with most things, the best way of avoiding challenge to such an agreement is to make sure it is properly put together in the first place. When a client's case requires attacking or defending such an agreement, this firm's substantial familiarity with all aspects of such agreements has proven to be of substantial benefit.

"Focus on Forever" at www.aaml.org, Making Marriages Last

NFPM Prenupt Article

Premarital checklist

Matrimonial Agreements: Requirements for Validity

Risks and Rewards of Post-Nuptial Agreements

The Evolving Concept of Marriage and Coming Convergence of Marital and Non-Marital Property and Support Law (Nevada Lawyer, May 2011)