We have discussed how useful prenuptial agreements can be for any couple in California who may have assets or investments they would like to protect. Prenuptial agreements allow a couple to have an open discussion about finances and set guidelines for what will happen to individual assets in the event of a divorce.
While a prenup might be appropriate for any couple to have, these agreements can be particularly effective when two people are either extremely wealthy or have very different levels of wealth. For example, the Walmart heiress Paige Laurie Dubbert had a prenuptial agreement in place when she married her husband in 2008.
The heiress is already a billionaire and stands to inherit a fortune, as her grandfather is one of the founders of retail giant Walmart. When Laurie got married to her husband, it was likely strongly advised that she have a prenuptial agreement in place.
Her husband may not have had a problem with signing the agreement, as it stated that he would receive $7,000 a month in alimony, should the couple get divorced.
Recently, Laurie did file for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences. Sources report that Laurie is accusing her husband of stealing money and abusing his role as a business owner. She has filed a lawsuit against him in an attempt to recover at least some of that money. However, she is still obligated to continue paying him spousal support. So while she is suing him for allegedly stealing from her, she still is bound by the terms of their prenup.
However, if the couple did not have a prenup in place, Laurie could have risked losing a lot more money in a settlement or her estranged husband could have walked away with nothing. Their prenuptial agreement served as an effective way to protect both of their interests before their relationship turned sour. By working with an attorney to draw up a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement, couples in California can establish rules and guidelines for the future during a time when couples are cooperative and level-headed.
Source: Riverfront Times, “Walmart Heiress Paige Laurie Divorces High-Rolling Hubbie, But He Still Gets Paid: TMZ,” Lindsay Toler, April 23, 2014