These days, it’s not uncommon for a person to marry someone who comes with some financial “baggage”— that is, with debts or support obligations of some kind. Here’s a fairly typical scenario:
Jane comes to my office seeking information about getting a prenuptial agreement. Her fiancé, Frank, is saddled with several types of obligations. Her fiancé underwent a horrible divorce from his first wife and Jane believes the ex-wife will go to any lengths to get what she can from him — including having her attorney subpoena Frank’s financial institutions for information on his various accounts. Naturally, Jane wants to know, if she proceeds to marry Frank, is she exposed to similar legal actions? What is her risk with respect to his spousal support, child support and/or any debt Frank has incurred?
Let’s take a look at each type of obligation and see how Jane may or may not be involved:
Spousal Support
In California, a new spouse’s income or assets generally has no effect on the spousal support obligation of their new partner. In other words, what belongs to Jane in terms of property or income is not connected to Frank’s spousal support situation. The Court doesn’t use this new information to re-calculate or otherwise alter the amount of support Frank is obligated to pay his ex-wife.
There is one notable exception: If, after remarrying, Frank were to quit his job or become a stay-at-home spouse (because his new wife has a well-paying position) and then attempt to either terminate or decrease the amount of spousal support he’s obligated to pay, the Court would likely see this as an intentional attempt to evade his legal responsibilities – and may not change his spousal support obligation.
Child Support
Again, in California, Jane’s assets generally do not come into play in a situation where Frank is paying child support related to his previous relationship(s). But, as noted above, it’s a different story if Frank decides to leave his job or otherwise decrease his income. Under California Family Code Section 4057.5, the income of a new spouse can be used “in an extraordinary case where excluding that income would lead to extreme hardship to any child subject to the child’s support award.”
The court will always be guided by what is deemed to be in the child’s best interests.
Debt
When it comes to debt obligations, Jane’s potential risk is a different matter entirely. With a new marriage in California, what both parties own together is automatically subject to community property law (e.g. anything acquired during the marriage is presumed to be split 50-50 between the spouses). If Jane puts Frank’s name on any of her assets – for example, adding his name to her savings account or on the deed to the house – creditors can now pursue what Jane considers her property for repayment of Frank’s debts. Her assets should remain untouched if her name is the only one connected to those assets. Most creditors won’t go to the trouble of going after assets in the non-debtor spouse’s name.
Of course, where a house or similar large property is concerned and a lender or other entity requires the signing of a Interspousal Transfer Deed in the course of a refinance (placing title solely in Jane’s name), Frank essentially gives up his legal rights to ownership by signing such documentation. Should this second marriage end in divorce, Frank may have no claim on the house and the property will be awarded to Jane as her sole and separate property.
A prenuptial agreement is an effective way to fully clarify both spouses’ debts and support obligations before marriage takes place and provide the parties with clear guidelines on how to handle their property and obligations throughout their marriage. That’s what I recommended to Jane and what I generally tell all of my clients facing this relatively common situation.
Getting married or just have any questions regarding the above topic? The Law Offices of Ian S. Topf offers a free consultation in a variety of issues, ranging from family law, bankruptcy, debt collection defense, estate planning, criminal defense, DUIs, and general civil matters.
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