Create a bespoke document in minutes,聽or upload and review your own.
Get your first 2 documents free
Your data doesn't train Genie's AI
You keep IP ownership聽of your information
Postnuptial Agreement
I need a postnuptial agreement that outlines the division of assets and debts acquired during the marriage, specifies spousal support terms, and includes provisions for any future children. The agreement should comply with Canadian family law and be fair and equitable to both parties.
What is a Postnuptial Agreement?
A Postnuptial Agreement is a legal contract made between spouses after they're already married. It lets married couples set clear rules about their property, assets, and financial responsibilities - similar to a prenup, but created during marriage instead of before.
Under Canadian family law, these agreements help spouses protect their individual assets, plan for inheritance, and spell out how they'll handle money matters if they separate. While courts generally respect postnups, they must be fair, properly drafted by a lawyer, and include full financial disclosure from both partners to be legally binding in Canadian provinces.
When should you use a Postnuptial Agreement?
Consider a Postnuptial Agreement when significant changes affect your marriage's financial landscape. Common triggers include starting a business, receiving a large inheritance, or one spouse leaving work to raise children. It's also valuable when couples want to clarify financial responsibilities after encountering marriage difficulties or reconciling after separation.
Canadian couples often use postnups when blending families, protecting family businesses, or updating outdated prenuptial terms. The agreement becomes especially important if one partner takes on substantial debt or acquires valuable assets. Having clear financial arrangements helps maintain harmony and provides security for both spouses.
What are the different types of Postnuptial Agreement?
- Basic Property Division: Standard postnuptial agreements focus on dividing assets, debts, and future earnings between spouses.
- Business Protection: Designed to shield company assets and outline how business interests will be handled if the marriage ends.
- Inheritance Planning: Specifically addresses how inherited wealth or family assets will be protected and distributed.
- Debt Management: Details how existing and future debts will be allocated between partners.
- Support Provisions: Outlines spousal support arrangements and financial responsibilities, particularly relevant when one spouse sacrifices career opportunities.
Who should typically use a Postnuptial Agreement?
- Married Couples: The primary parties who create and are bound by the postnuptial agreement, typically when significant financial changes occur during marriage.
- Family Law Lawyers: Draft and review the agreements to ensure legal compliance and enforceability under Canadian provincial laws.
- Financial Advisors: Help identify assets, assess financial implications, and provide guidance on wealth protection strategies.
- Business Valuators: Evaluate company assets and partnership interests when business ownership is involved.
- Independent Legal Counsel: Each spouse requires separate representation to ensure the agreement's fairness and validity.
How do you write a Postnuptial Agreement?
- Financial Disclosure: Gather complete lists of assets, debts, income sources, and financial obligations for both spouses.
- Property Details: Document all real estate, vehicles, investments, and personal property owned separately or jointly.
- Business Information: Compile ownership details, valuations, and future growth projections for any business interests.
- Future Planning: Outline expected inheritances, career changes, or major financial decisions that may affect the marriage.
- Document Format: Use our platform to generate a legally sound agreement that includes all required elements under Canadian law.
- Independent Review: Ensure both parties have time to review and understand all terms before signing.
What should be included in a Postnuptial Agreement?
- Identification Details: Full legal names, addresses, and marriage date of both spouses.
- Financial Disclosure: Complete listing of all assets, debts, and income sources for both parties.
- Property Division: Clear terms for handling existing and future property, inheritances, and business interests.
- Support Provisions: Specific arrangements for spousal support and financial obligations.
- Governing Law: Statement specifying which provincial laws apply to the agreement.
- Independent Legal Advice: Confirmation that both parties received separate legal counsel.
- Signatures: Dated signatures of both spouses and witnesses, with proper attestation clauses.
What's the difference between a Postnuptial Agreement and an Affidavit and Indemnity Agreement?
The key difference to understand is between a Postnuptial Agreement and a Affidavit and Indemnity Agreement. While both documents deal with legal declarations and financial protections, they serve distinct purposes and operate under different legal frameworks.
- Timing and Purpose: Postnuptial agreements specifically address marital property rights after marriage, while affidavit and indemnity agreements handle general legal declarations and financial protection in any context.
- Legal Requirements: Postnups require independent legal counsel for both spouses and full financial disclosure. Affidavit agreements typically need only notarization and don't require separate counsel.
- Scope of Protection: Postnups focus exclusively on marital assets and obligations, while affidavit and indemnity agreements can cover any type of financial risk or legal declaration.
- Enforcement Mechanism: Postnups are enforced through family courts, while affidavit and indemnity agreements typically go through civil courts.
Download our whitepaper on the future of AI in Legal
骋别苍颈别鈥檚 Security Promise
Genie is the safest place to draft. Here鈥檚 how we prioritise your privacy and security.
Your documents are private:
We do not train on your data; 骋别苍颈别鈥檚 AI improves independently
All data stored on Genie is private to your organisation
Your documents are protected:
Your documents are protected by ultra-secure 256-bit encryption
Our bank-grade security infrastructure undergoes regular external audits
We are ISO27001 certified, so your data is secure
Organizational security
You retain IP ownership of your documents
You have full control over your data and who gets to see it
Innovation in privacy:
Genie partnered with the Computational Privacy Department at Imperial College London
Together, we ran a 拢1 million research project on privacy and anonymity in legal contracts
Want to know more?
Visit our for more details and real-time security updates.
Read our Privacy Policy.