Pricing….Your First Concern.
The good news….we offer three pricing models, depending on how comprehensive and/or complex a prenup is. The least expensive is $1695, the most is $6995, and the one in the middle is $4500. Now, compare that to a motion in family court, which can easily run $5,000, and that is just a motion, a ‘request’, not a case, and a single case can have 20 motions filed, and discovery, including depositions. $100,000 can be just a start in family court; spousal support can cost you a whole lot more. We know of people who will not move in with a divorced spouse, even though they are in a relationship, simply because the spouse is supporting them and they don’t have to get a job for years!
Why A Prenuptial Agreement?
For those who have not researched San Diego Biz Law APC, lead attorney Stefano Riznyk is probably best known for his skills as a high-level negotiator, an area in which he trains other attorneys nationwide.
He has dealt with many complex cases for political figures, Fortune 500 presidents, producers, actors, federal agents, and persons of that caliber. As a negotiator who has spent a lifetime learning human behavior, he understands the complexity of human relationships. As much as he is a great believer in people, he also has first-hand witnessed the damage that has been wrought by divorcing persons who are influenced by family, friends, and their counsel. Marrying in California without a prenup is one of the most expensive and devastating mistakes someone can make. On the other hand, the person with more assets does not have to leave the other spouse with nothing. There are ways of doing things that are not disrespectful and will not make it difficult to get that document signed.
Once a Lawyer is Hired…an example of What $140,000 in Family Court Can Get You
When your spouse seeks divorce and hires a lawyer, that attorney will work to best represent their client. As a result, they will propose a number of ideas and strategies to your soon-to-be ex-spouse, and then it is no longer the same case it could have been. What’s worse, if your spouse is low on funds, then you will be the one paying for their lawyer to go after you, and in the world of litigation, $100,000 is just not that much money, especially in a contested divorce case when assets are involved; your house could end up being sold just to cover the opposing attorney’s fees.
Would you like an example?: Two years ago, a friend of Mr. Riznyk had discovered that she was in a solid mess because of what her ex-husband was seeking and what her previous three law firms had done to her case. As she was low on funding as a result of this, we stepped in and helped her out pro bono. This case only required help in two areas: child custody and child support. We did not think it would require much time, as those are not complex issues.
Would you be surprised to know it took $140,000 in legal hours to try to resolve just those two issues? And this case is still going on, as the lawyer has filed more motions. Never underestimate what your spouse will state to win, what their lawyer will file, or how many times they will file motions that will drive up your legal costs. What if there are more issues involved, such as material assets, retirement accounts, and other issues, such as comingling? Feel free to spend an afternoon in any family court and your eyes will be open to what a frightening world that can be. Not only will it drain you of your assets, but also the real estate in your mind- you will discover that you will be thinking about the case more times a day than you wish.
Simply Stated
Let’s assume you worked hard; had children; acquired some material assets, such as real estate, vehicles, a brokerage account, and a retirement account; and then even commingled (i.e., mixed personal and marriage) assets. Now, you have a divorce, and you have to pay two sets of lawyers (safely, at $500 an hour or more, if they’re good) – what will you have left? Do you know how many people have gone from owning a five-bedroom house to renting a one-bedroom apartment after a divorce? We do, and it was devastating.
Doesn’t A Prenup Make A Negative Statement?
A prenup does not make a negative statement. A prenup is an insurance policy for a rainy day. You can also remind your spouse that if things don’t work out, the prenup will save them the headache of divorce court. Even if the spouse is not paying for it, he or she will not enjoy this skin-tearing, ruthless event. Divorce court is no fun for either party. Additionally, a prenup allows you the benefit of being more generous with your spouse. You will not have to worry that if you spoil him or her that you will be setting up a pattern for which you will be financially punished should the marriage end.
A Prenup Is Not A Weapon
We would prefer to know that you use the prenup as a way of liberating yourself. You can now spoil your spouse, you can comingle your assets, you can spoil him or her at your heart’s content and know that these things will not be held against you later on by some lawyer locking eyes with you as if you were a criminal. Know that once you are protected, it is easier to be free. A great relationship is hard to find, so go ahead and spoil your person, have fun and treat them as if it will take you five years to find the next great relationship.
Honor the relationship for how lovely and valuable it is, and you will find that not only will you never have to open up that prenuptial, but you may even make that spouse your heir.
If you have questions about the prenuptial agreement process, call our firm at 877-223-4684 or send us an email.
