A
contract between
engaged parties before they get
married. Typically,
prenups are used to
protect the
assets of one of the parties, especially when one of them has a large income stream (
actors, rock stars, and financiers all qualify), or when one is supporting the other through
school. A prenuptial agreement will typically specify which assets are not joint, what form and size
alimony will take, and often
custody arrangements, as well. Prenuptials can also be used to enforce activities during the marriage, including what
religious institutions children will attend, and how
monthly bills will be managed.
One of the more intriguing prenuptial agreements was between [William Hurt and Heidi Henderson. Having met each other in alcohol rehab, the prenup specified that Hurt's alimony payments would be increased if he started drinking again post-divorce, while they would be reduced if she started again.