postnuptial agreement

English

Noun

postnuptial agreement (plural postnuptial agreements)

1. A written agreement executed after a couple's marriage or civil union, to settle the couple's affairs and assets in the event of a separation or divorce.

   Synonym: postnup

   • 1997 February 23, Bruce Felton, “Fastening Your Seat Belt For a Bumpy Marriage”, in The New York Times‎^[1]:

     In California, for example, one of nine "community property" states, any property acquired during your marriage will be divided evenly between you and your spouse after a divorce, if you don't have a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement.

   • 2001 July 7, Tamar Lewin, “Among Nuptial Agreements, Post- Has Now Joined Pre-”, in The New York Times‎^[2]:

     It is impossible to know how many couples are signing postnuptial agreements, since they are drafted by private lawyers and usually not reviewed by the courts unless they are challenged.