{"id":302029,"date":"2024-06-17T17:34:34","date_gmt":"2024-06-17T17:34:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wahi.com\/ca\/en\/?p=302029"},"modified":"2024-11-07T15:53:44","modified_gmt":"2024-11-07T15:53:44","slug":"dont-make-this-big-real-estate-mistake-before-getting-married","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wahi.com\/ca\/en\/learning-centre\/real-estate-101\/buy\/marriage-contracts-real-estate\/","title":{"rendered":"Don\u2019t Make This Big Real Estate Mistake Before Getting Married"},"content":{"rendered":"\n[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px||3px|||” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” width=”95%” max_width=”100%” custom_margin=”||-24px||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”||-24px||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”||-34px||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”55px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][wahi_breadcrumb _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”30px||-10px||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”][wahi_breadcrumb-link title=”Real Estate 101″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _dynamic_attributes=”link_option_url” _module_preset=”default” link_option_url=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9saW5rX3VybF9wYWdlIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsicG9zdF9pZCI6IjcyMiJ9fQ==@” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/wahi_breadcrumb-link][wahi_breadcrumb-link title=”Buy” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _dynamic_attributes=”link_option_url” _module_preset=”default” link_option_url=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9saW5rX3VybF9wYWdlIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsicG9zdF9pZCI6IjE2MzIifX0=@” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/wahi_breadcrumb-link][wahi_breadcrumb-link title=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF90aXRsZSIsInNldHRpbmdzIjp7ImJlZm9yZSI6IiIsImFmdGVyIjoiIn19@” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _dynamic_attributes=”title” _module_preset=”default” module_text_color=”#686E6E” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/wahi_breadcrumb-link][\/wahi_breadcrumb][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”16px||4px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _dynamic_attributes=”content” _module_preset=”default” header_font_size=”3.5rem” header_line_height=”4.5rem” header_font_size_tablet=”42px” header_font_size_phone=”1.5rem” header_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_line_height_tablet=”3.5rem” header_line_height_phone=”2.1rem” header_line_height_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”]@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF90aXRsZSIsInNldHRpbmdzIjp7ImJlZm9yZSI6IjxoMT4iLCJhZnRlciI6IjwvaDE+In19@[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”1px||1px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][wahi_socialsharing _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/wahi_socialsharing][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”15px||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”21px” text_line_height=”1.6em” header_2_font=”||||||||” header_2_font_size=”36px” header_2_line_height=”1.3em” header_3_font_size=”1.25rem” header_3_line_height=”1.88rem” header_4_font=”|700|||||||” header_4_font_size=”1.25rem” header_4_line_height=”1.88rem” text_font_size_tablet=”21px” text_font_size_phone=”16px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” header_2_font_size_tablet=”36px” header_2_font_size_phone=”25px” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]

Many Canadian home owners neglect to enter into a marriage contract before tying the knot, and that could prove costly in the event of a divorce.<\/span><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”21px” text_line_height=”1.6em” header_2_font=”||||||||” header_2_font_size=”36px” header_2_line_height=”1.3em” header_3_font_size=”1.25rem” header_3_line_height=”1.88rem” header_4_font=”|700|||||||” header_4_font_size=”1.25rem” header_4_line_height=”1.88rem” custom_margin=”||11px|||” text_font_size_tablet=”21px” text_font_size_phone=”16px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_2_font_size_tablet=”36px” header_2_font_size_phone=”25px” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]

By Josh Sherman<\/a>\u00a0<\/span>| 5 minute read<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_post_title title=”off” author=”off” date_format=”M j” categories=”off” comments=”off” featured_image=”off” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||26px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_post_title][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px||3px|||” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” width_tablet=”” width_phone=”100%” width_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”0px||9px|||” global_colors_info=”{}” width__hover_enabled=”off|desktop”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9mZWF0dXJlZF9pbWFnZSIsInNldHRpbmdzIjp7fX0=@” align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _dynamic_attributes=”src” _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”1px||29px|||” border_radii=”on|32px|32px|32px|32px” border_radii_tablet=”on|32px|32px|32px|32px” border_radii_phone=”on|0px|0px|0px|0px” border_radii_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”1.13rem” text_line_height=”1.75rem” custom_margin=”-18px||2px|||” custom_padding=”||7px||false|true” custom_padding_tablet=”||7px||false|true” custom_padding_phone=”|15px|7px|15px|false|true” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” text_font_size_tablet=”1.13rem” text_font_size_phone=”0.9rem” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]

Some 40% of marriages in Canada could end in divorce, <\/span>according to one federal government estimate<\/span><\/a>, and that has potentially huge implications for property owners.<\/span><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”1px||39px|||” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”16px||16px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”21px” text_line_height=”1.6em” header_2_font=”||||||||” header_2_font_size=”36px” header_2_line_height=”1.3em” header_3_font_size=”1.25rem” header_3_line_height=”1.88rem” header_4_font=”|700|||||||” header_4_font_size=”1.25rem” header_4_line_height=”1.88rem” min_height=”158.4px” text_font_size_tablet=”21px” text_font_size_phone=”16px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_2_font_size_tablet=”36px” header_2_font_size_phone=”25px” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]

When Ron Shulman began practicing family law about 20 years ago, there was a big stigma around marriage contracts, colloquially known as prenuptial agreements.<\/span>
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<\/span>But, over time, the founder and managing partner of Shulman & Partners LLP<\/a> has noticed a shift. \u201cI find that nowadays it\u2019s a lot more open to discussion \u2014 especially with the younger generation of people who realize that a marriage is really\u2026 a legal transaction.\u201d he tells Wahi.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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In Ontario, where his firm has offices in Toronto and Ottawa, real estate<\/a> is driving an increase in marriage agreements, which are a type of domestic contract. For one, sky-high real estate values mean there\u2019s more to protect, but that\u2019s not all. \u201cWe\u2019re seeing many young people who are priced out of real estate, and they\u2019re being helped by family,\u201d says Shulman. It is often these family members who are pushing for legal agreements. In the event of divorce, they don\u2019t want their financial contributions to end up in the other party\u2019s hands. Marriage agreements are also more common in second marriages, where one partner may have built up considerable equity in their home, says Shulman.<\/span><\/p>\n


Few people realize it, legal experts say, but unlike other assets owned prior to a marriage, under Ontario\u2019s Family Law Act, the value of the matrimonial home is not exempt from equalization, a process through which the courts divvy up assets accrued during a marriage. So while more and more Canadians are entering into marriage contracts, too many existing homeowners are still neglecting to take this crucial step \u2014 whether due to lingering stigma or difficult conversations. That, Shulman and others suggest, puts them at risk of considerable financial losses during separation.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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The Matrimonial Home Exception\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n

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\u201cBasically, under Ontario family law \u2014 and this only applies to married couples \u2014 we effectively tally up what the parties acquire from the date of marriage to the date of separation,\u201d Mathew Fordjour<\/a>, a family lawyer, tells Wahi. \u201cSo the idea is whatever they acquire, whether it\u2019s in separate names or its joint, it\u2019s all added together,\u201d he adds, noting some exemptions that can occur during a marriage, such as gifts or inheritances. Whichever party has the higher total ends up making an equalization payment to the other to balance the books.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Each party typically receives a deduction for the value of assets they brought into the marriage, such as stocks or other investments. So, for example, if somebody had an RRSP that was worth $50,000 upon getting married, they would retain that value and split the gains realized during the length of the marriage. But the matrimonial home is the exception to the rule. \u201cIn general, a matrimonial home is defined as a property that the parties ordinarily reside in on the date of separation,\u201d explains Shulman. \u201cYou don\u2019t get a credit for the value you brought in [to the marriage on the matrimonial home], and that is huge,\u201d\u00a0 he adds. <\/span><\/span><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#edf7f3″ custom_padding=”32px||32px||true|false” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||25px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” header_2_text_align=”center” header_2_text_color=”#38505b” header_2_font_size=”2.63rem” header_2_line_height=”3.75rem” max_width=”800px” module_alignment=”center” header_2_font_size_tablet=”32px” header_2_font_size_phone=”21px” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_2_line_height_tablet=”3.75rem” header_2_line_height_phone=”32px” header_2_line_height_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]

“The best way to think of a marriage agreement is to think of an insurance policy.”<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”32px||23px|||” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”11px||14px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”21px” text_line_height=”1.6em” header_2_font=”||||||||” header_2_font_size=”36px” header_2_line_height=”1.3em” header_3_font_size=”1.25rem” header_3_line_height=”1.88rem” header_4_font=”|700|||||||” header_4_font_size=”1.25rem” header_4_line_height=”1.88rem” text_font_size_tablet=”21px” text_font_size_phone=”16px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_2_font_size_tablet=”36px” header_2_font_size_phone=”25px” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]

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In the case of the matrimonial home, it doesn\u2019t matter whether the home was a gift or inheritance. \u201cAnother big one is people are shocked to know that their cottage that they may be bringing into the family could become a matrimonial home \u2014 you could have more than one,\u201d Shulman notes.<\/span><\/p>\n

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The law varies from province to province. In B.C., for example, a home that one party brought into the marriage isn\u2019t subject to equalization. \u201cBut if the property increases in value while you’re living together, that increase is part of the family property. That means the increased value is divided equally between the two of you if you separate,\u201d according to non-profit organization Legal Aid BC\u2019s website<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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For common-law couples who separate in Ontario, equalization does not apply. But that doesn\u2019t mean one\u2019s real estate assets couldn\u2019t be on the table. \u201cThere are various legal doctrines which basically try to ensure that there is at least some fairness between the parties, even if they\u2019re common law,\u201d says Fordjour. For instance, if one partner contributed to renovations or mortgage payments, they may be entitled to a portion of the value of the asset.<\/p>\n

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\u201cThere\u2019s a principle called unjust enrichment, and it\u2019s a whole body of case law,\u201d says Fordjour. \u201cThat\u2019s the idea that in some circumstances, it would be unfair for one person to have 100% rights to a certain property if the other person has contributed.\u201d Common-law couples can enter into a cohabitation agreement, which functions like a marriage contract. The agreement can be drafted in such a way that it becomes a marriage agreement if the parties choose to wed.<\/p>\n

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Marriage Contracts: the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n

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A marriage contract is the most effective way for a homeowner to protect a real estate asset before tying the knot. \u201cMarriage agreements are a great idea \u2014 period. The reason they\u2019re great is they avoid ambiguities,\u201d says Shulman.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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The documents outline the rights and responsibilities of each party entertaining a union to avoid arguments later. This is another reason Shulman thinks they\u2019re a good idea, the fact that they spur talks about the what-ifs surrounding divorce. \u201cI don\u2019t think many people have that conversation, but they should.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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While marriage contracts are the best tool for the job, they aren\u2019t 100% airtight in all circumstances, Shulman notes. \u201cThe best way to think of a marriage agreement is to think of an insurance policy,\u201d he says. \u201cIt\u2019s there to protect you. It\u2019s there to create expectations and clarity. But nothing is bulletproof.\u201d<\/p>\n

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For the best chance of the document holding up in court, it\u2019s crucial for each party to seek independent legal advice before signing on the dotted line. That way, nobody can claim later that they didn\u2019t understand what they were getting into, an argument that\u2019s sometimes used during divorce proceedings when thing sour. \u201cNumber one, you can set aside a marriage agreement or domestic contract when there was no legal advice,\u201d says Shulman. \u201cWe try to insist that both parties have their representation. They have their lawyers, [and] the lawyers sign legal-advice certificates to make sure that advice is there.\u201d<\/p>\n

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<\/span><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Section” module_id=”sell-widget” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#f0faf4″ custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” da_popup_slug=”sell-widget” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_module=”300579″ global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_enable_color=”off” module_alignment=”center” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_css_main_element=”margin: auto;” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/wahi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Frame-7115.png” title_text=”Frame 7115″ src_tablet=”” src_phone=”https:\/\/wahi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Frame-7115-1.png” src_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_css_main_element=”margin: auto;” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”Poppins|700|||||||” header_line_height=”44px” max_width=”100%” max_width_tablet=”” max_width_phone=”270px” max_width_last_edited=”on|phone” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”||10px||false|false” header_text_align_tablet=”” header_text_align_phone=”center” header_text_align_last_edited=”on|phone” header_font_size_tablet=”” header_font_size_phone=”30px” header_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_css_main_element=”font-weight: 800 !important;” custom_css_free_form=”#sell-widget h1{|| font-weight: 700 !important;|| font-size: 30px;||}” global_colors_info=”{}”]

Find the Right REALTOR\u00ae for You<\/h1>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”22px” text_line_height=”26px” header_font=”||||||||” header_line_height=”26px” header_2_font_size=”22px” header_2_line_height=”26px” max_width=”100%” max_width_tablet=”” max_width_phone=”270px” max_width_last_edited=”on|phone” module_alignment=”left” custom_margin=”||30px||false|false” text_font_size_tablet=”” text_font_size_phone=”18px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” text_orientation_tablet=”” text_orientation_phone=”center” text_orientation_last_edited=”on|phone” module_alignment_tablet=”” module_alignment_phone=”center” module_alignment_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]

We’ll match you with a proven agent in your area.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/wahi.com\/ca\/en\/find-a-realtor-in-your-area” button_text=”Learn more” button_alignment=”left” button_alignment_tablet=”” button_alignment_phone=”center” button_alignment_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”12px” button_border_radius=”4px” button_letter_spacing=”1px” button_font=”|700|||||||” button_use_icon=”off” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”10px|20px|10px|20px|true|true” button_text_size_tablet=”” button_text_size_phone=”13px” button_text_size_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_css_main_element=”font-weight: 800 !important;” custom_css_free_form=”#sell-widget a.et_pb_button{|| font-weight: 600 !important;||}||||@media (max-width: 600px){||#sell-widget a.et_pb_button{||display: block;||text-align: center;||}||}” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_css_main_element_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_css_main_element_phone=”font-weight: 800 !important;||display: block;||text-align: center;” custom_css_main_element_tablet=”font-weight: 800 !important;”][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”29px||0px|||” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||4px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”21px” text_line_height=”1.6em” header_2_font=”||||||||” header_2_font_size=”36px” header_2_line_height=”1.6em” header_3_font_size=”1.25rem” header_3_line_height=”1.88rem” header_4_font=”|700|||||||” header_4_font_size=”1.25rem” header_4_line_height=”1.88rem” text_font_size_tablet=”21px” text_font_size_phone=”16px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_2_font_size_tablet=”29px” header_2_font_size_phone=”19px” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]

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Another common argument used to undermine a marriage agreement is duress. If someone is presented with the contract days or weeks before the wedding, they could later claim they signed it under duress. \u201cWe address that by making sure that we don\u2019t do it last-minute. We give sufficient time for parties to consider,\u201d says Shulman. (His firm won\u2019t even draft a marriage contract if a client approaches him too close to the wedding date.) \u201cThe point of a marriage agreement is to avoid litigation, and we don\u2019t want to create an agreement that causes litigation,\u201d he adds, adding that you could still draft the contract after the wedding.

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While the stigma around domestic contracts is fading, they\u2019re still a sensitive subject for couples. If you\u2019re considering bringing up a marriage contract with your partner, Shulman has some advice: \u201cBroach it in a way that is not adversarial,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n

Instead of focusing on the assets you\u2019re bringing into the marriage, he says to emphasize the predictability factor \u2014 how the contract sets out what each of you can expect should the marriage go south.<\/p>\n

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\u201c[Say], \u2018Look, we\u2019re entering a marriage, clearly we want to make sure we both know what will happen\u2026 if we do split up or it doesn\u2019t work \u2014 we don\u2019t want to have to pay lawyers hundreds of thousands of dollars and be those horror stories,\u201d says Shulman. \u201cThat\u2019s the angle and the focus of the conversation I usually recommend to clients \u2014 it really benefits everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”33px||33px||true|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_blurb title=”Josh Sherman” url=”https:\/\/wahi.com\/ca\/en\/author\/josh-shermanwahi-com\/” image=”https:\/\/wahi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Screen-Shot-2022-11-02-at-7.46.57-PM.png” icon_placement=”left” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” header_font_size=”24px” header_line_height=”1.2em” body_text_color=”#686E6E” body_line_height=”0em” width=”550px” max_width_tablet=”” max_width_phone=”” max_width_last_edited=”on|phone” module_alignment=”left” custom_padding=”2px||13px|||” header_font_size_tablet=”24px” header_font_size_phone=”20px” header_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_line_height_tablet=”1.2em” header_line_height_phone=”1.4em” header_line_height_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_css_blurb_image=”width:64px;” global_colors_info=”{}”]

Wahi Writer<\/p>[\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”1px||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][wahi_socialsharing module_class=”wahi_socialsharing_2″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/wahi_socialsharing][et_pb_divider show_divider=”off” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” height=”30px” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#ffffff” custom_padding=”5px||3px|||” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||19px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”21px” text_line_height=”1.6em” header_2_font=”||||||||” header_2_font_size=”36px” header_2_line_height=”1.6em” header_3_font_size=”1.25rem” header_3_line_height=”1.88rem” header_4_font=”|700|||||||” header_4_font_size=”1.25rem” header_4_line_height=”1.88rem” custom_margin=”||23px|||” text_font_size_tablet=”21px” text_font_size_phone=”16px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_2_font_size_tablet=”29px” header_2_font_size_phone=”27px” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]

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Become a Real
Estate Know-It-All<\/span><\/h2>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_code _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”]