Both the structural integrity of a home and the dynamics between spouses require a strong foundation. It is the firm groundwork of quality materials that reinforce the bones of a home while also helping to build lasting memories and relationships. Similarly, a solid agreement is a way for couples to establish a solid agreement with a foundation that will not only see them through the beginning years of their marriage but for their entire life together.

Like selecting the right materials for a home, there is a variety of aspects to consider with regards to each individual’s prenup needs, such as how to get the most out of it, what items can be added to it as they meet certain life milestones, and how the two parties can take advantage of the legal protections it provides both themselves and their family.

So what is a prenuptial agreement? Also known as a prenup, these legal documents are mutual agreements between two spouses that determine the outcome of their financial status in a variety of areas, including their assets, liabilities, and distribution methods following a potential separation or divorce. Just like unsure homeowners may be tempted to reach for inferior building materials when establishing their foundation, prenup-happy couples may be tempted to simply grab the first prenuptial agreement template they come across on the internet. However, just like the weakest of building materials will not build an adequately stable home, the average downloadable template will not cover the full needs of either party – let alone explore the bare minimum essentials that should be covered under a prenup. To ensure that you have the strongest agreement possible, consider speaking with an experienced Illinois family law attorney about your prenuptial agreement.

Although the primary purpose of a prenup is to financially protect each party and their individual assets, that is not the only benefit to be had from a stably constructed prenuptial agreement. In fact, armed with a prenuptial agreement, you and your spouse will be able to enjoy the kind of security that comes from knowing that your family is able to weather any storm the future might bring.

Of course, there are some misconceptions surrounding the content of prenups that have the potential to cause issues that could have easily been prevented. To help you avoid these pitfalls, we’ve dispelled a handful of the most common myths about prenups below.

Just like you want your new home to have a stable foundation, you also want your marriage to have a solid basis of security. A custom prenuptial agreement can protect the assets of both parties, ensuring that neither one is left scrambling to figure out how to get back on their feet.

If you’re planning on having children with your spouse, your agreement should include clauses about parental support; if either of you has debts, your prenup should address the least painful way to resolve them if your marriage ends in separation. While every prenuptial agreement contains a unique set of clauses that meet the individual needs of the spouses who custom build them, a few of the more common topics addressed by prenups include the following:

Each of the above topics serves as a way of protecting the interests of both the spouses involved and creating a secure financial foundation for their future together (or apart). Just like a quality constructed home saves homeowners money on annual maintenance as it offers financial stability, a well-constructed prenup minimizes the risk of costly litigation and protects the rights of both spouses even if that marriage one day becomes unsteady.