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.

   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.

   2001 July 7, Tamar Lewin, “Among Nuptial Agreements, Post- Has Now Joined Pre-”, in The New York Times

   1 more example

   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.

   1997 February 23, Bruce Felton, “Fastening Your Seat Belt For a Bumpy Marriage”, in The New York Times

   Synonyms: postnup