According to a poll by the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, divorce lawyers are seeing an increase in prenuptial-like agreements, called cohabitation agreements, between unmarried couples.

Since states do not have cohabitation laws, if your significant other has debts or if you buy a house together, a cohabitation agreement can dictate how assets and debts are divided. For unmarried couples wanting to start a family together, cohabitation agreements are especially important.

Like a prenuptial agreement, cohabitation agreements can address child custody matters and support obligations for unmarried couples with children.

If you or someone you love are interested in learning more about prenuptial agreements, contact the prenuptial agreement lawyers of Garg & Associates at 281-362-2865.

NBA star Kobe Bryant and his wife of more than ten years, Vanessa, filed for divorce in December and it could cost the basketball player nearly half of his fortune.

After the couple was married in 2001, Vanessa’s mother told newspapers that they never signed a prenuptial agreement. Since the two were legally married in the state of California, his soon-to-be ex-wife is entitled to half of their community property (ie Kobe’s $150 million) and also entitles her to maintain her standard of living since their ten year marriage is considered a “lengthy marriage.”

Vanessa is also expected to receive continuous child support payments, spousal support payments, and possibly part of Kobe’s retirement money. Both have agreed to share custody of their two children.

If you would like to learn more about signing a prenuptial agreement, contact the Houston prenuptial agreement attorneys of Garg & Associates today at 281-362-2865.

According to Russell Brand, him and his soon-to-be ex-wife, pop star Katy Perry, never signed a prenuptial agreement when they got married last year.

Actor/comedian Brand, 36, filed for divorce in Los Angeles from his wife Katy Perry, 27, just after Christmas. He cites irreconcilable differences as the reason for their divorce. The two had a private ceremony in India and are legally married in California. According to California state law, spouses with no prenuptial agreements must split their assets 50/50.

Brand could end up walking away with more than $20 million, as Perry is estimated to be worth around $44 million. Brand is estimated to be worth near $15 million.

If you are considering signing a prenuptial agreement or want legal counsel on the agreement, contact the Houston prenuptial agreement attorneys of Garg & Associates today at 281-362-2865.

After news broke of Arnold Schwarzenegger cheating on his wife of 25 years, Maria Shriver, for over a decade and fathering a 14-year-old boy, the two are now close to a divorce settlement, and Shriver could be receiving a substantial amount of money.

Some have speculated that Maria may stand to receive $100 million, which is half of Arnold’s net worth that he has gained since being married to Maria. Although it is not known if the two signed a prenuptial agreement before they were married, a prenup would probably no longer have an effect because of the length of time the two were married.

Many factors will go into how much Maria will receive, including how supportive she was during her marriage to Arnold and the pain she went through when learned of his cheating ways.

Infidelity in a marriage can be extremely painful to go through, and prenuptial agreements are a good way to set up guidelines for a divorce if a spouse cheats. To learn more about the usefulness of prenuptial agreements before marriage, please contact the Houston prenuptial agreement attorneys of Garg & Associates, P.C., at 800-242-2151.

Prenuptial agreements used to be reserved for royalty and celebrities. Now, however, a prenup can be a smart idea for anyone who wants to protect their assets in the event that the marriage ends in divorce. A few tips can help you plan your prenuptial agreement.

The first tip is to do it at least six months before the wedding date. This will provide enough time for any changes to be made. Also, it will keep you from being in an emotional state when planning your prenup. The next tip is to always be reasonable; realizing what you plausibly can and cannot have is important to avoid fighting with your partner. The third tip is to research your state’s laws to know exactly how property is divided in a marriage.

Asking for a prenuptial agreement may seem harsh, but it can actually make a marriage better by alleviating the financial stress that often accompanies new marriages.

If you would like help planning a prenuptial agreement, please contact the Houston prenuptial agreement attorneys of Garg & Associates, P.C., at 800-242-2151.