Pre-Nuptial Agreements are not automatically enforced.

Pre-Nuptial Agreements are not automatically enforced.

Pre-nuptial agreements in Massachusetts are enforced if they are fair at the time of the execution of the agreement and fair at the time of the enforcement of the agreement. Fairness at the time of the execution means that there was complete financial disclosure, had the ability to obtain advice of counsel, the agreement was free of duress, misrepresentation, and fraud and the terms are fair. Since the agreement must also be fair at the time of enforcement, the Courts take a “second look” at the agreement and view it in the context of the financial circumstances at that time. The agreement will be enforced unless the court finds that it is unconscionable. This means that the agreement will be enforced unless the agreement would leave the contesting spouse without sufficient property, maintenance, or appropriate employment to support herself.

In a recent case, Kelcourse v.Kelcourse, Mass.App.Ct. (Jan. 21, 2015), the court refused to enforce a pre-nuptial agreement. The agreement on its face appeared fair. The agreement gave the
Wife a house and alimony as part of the settlement. The problem was that the house needed over $300,000.00 in repairs and had negative equity. The Wife lacked funds to repair the house and, due to the negative equity, was unable to sell the house. The Court found that the condition and finances of the house rendered the agreement unconscionable and unenforceable.

The Kelcourse case means that in Massachusetts the second look is a real and substantial examination. The Court won't enforce the agreement if the spouse won't be able to support herself. In other words, disclosure and lack of duress is not enough to make an agreement enforceable. The second look must examine the circumstances to see if the facts and enforcement would shock the conscience.

If parties want a pre-nuptial agreement they should consult family law attorneys to advise them. This is not an area where parties should do-it-yourself. When the parties seek to enforce the agreement it may be too late to fix any problems.