Prenuptial Agreements
Middlesex County Prenuptial Agreement Attorneys
A prenuptial agreement is a written contract made before marriage that can set clear, agreed expectations for how certain financial matters will be handled during the marriage and, if needed, later on.
Ryder & Phelps helps couples in Middlesex County draft prenuptial agreements that are practical, thorough, and written to hold up under Massachusetts law.
Start the Prenup Process Early: Timing Guidance Built Around Your Wedding Date
In Massachusetts, there is no single statutory “deadline” for when a prenup must be signed. In practice, timing still matters. A rushed agreement invites stress and can raise questions later about whether both parties had a fair chance to review, negotiate, and understand the terms.
Most prenuptial agreements take two to four months from start to finish, and sometimes longer when assets are complex or when additional planning is needed. Ryder & Phelps works to keep the matter moving while making sure disclosures, drafting, and review are handled thoroughly.
Starting six months before the wedding gives the process room to breathe. It also allows the agreement to be signed well ahead of the ceremony, which supports a more comfortable review period for both parties and their counsel.If a wedding date is approaching sooner than that, Ryder & Phelps can still discuss options during a consultation. The key is to evaluate whether there is enough time for meaningful disclosure, negotiation, and independent review.
Plan ahead with confidence. Schedule a consultation online, or call (978) 381-1660 to discuss drafting with our Burlington prenup attorneys.
How Ryder & Phelps Approaches Prenuptial Agreements
A prenuptial agreement is a planning document, so the drafting needs to be calm, practical, and detail-focused. Ryder & Phelps keeps the tone objective and collaborative so the agreement supports the marriage by putting financial expectations in writing.
You can expect:
- A plan that fits your wedding timeline. We map out the drafting schedule early, identify what needs to be exchanged, and keep the work moving so the agreement is not pushed up against the wedding date.
- Thorough financial documentation. We help clients gather and organize the financial information that makes a prenup meaningful, including assets, liabilities, income sources, and supporting records.
- Terms written for real life. We translate goals into specific language that matches how property is owned, how money flows, and how major decisions are made, including real estate, family assets, and business interests.
- A respectful negotiation process. We coordinate with your fiancé’s counsel in a professional way that keeps revisions focused and reduces unnecessary back-and-forth.
The Disadvantages of Writing Your Own Prenuptial Agreement
A couple can write an agreement on their own, but a DIY prenup often runs into problems that are hard to see without experience in Massachusetts family law. Examples include:
- Incomplete or informal financial disclosure
- Vague definitions of “separate” and “marital” property
- Missing treatment of future assets (like equity compensation, bonuses, or growth in a business)
- Terms that do not match how Massachusetts courts evaluate fairness at signing and enforcement
- Signing too close to the wedding date, leaving little room for negotiation
Even when a couple’s intentions are reasonable, the agreement still needs to be clear, internally consistent, and supported by proper disclosures. That is where attorney guidance matters the most.
-
“I would highly recommend him to anyone needing a lawyer that will work hard for you and get the best results” - Kealah
-
“Jordan Phelps is an excellent, dedicated and experienced attorney.” - Anonymous
-
“He's great handling defensive & offensive strategies!” - Anonymous
How a Prenuptial Agreement Lawyer Helps
Drafting That Protects Clarity & Enforceability
Ryder & Phelps helps clients by turning goals into specific, workable terms and building the agreement around the disclosures and documentation that make those terms credible. That typically includes:
- Defining what is separate property and how it will be handled. This often covers premarital assets, family gifts, inheritances, and interests in a business or professional practice.
- Addressing debts in plain terms. Student loans, credit cards, and business liabilities are handled with clear allocation language.
- Planning for major purchases during the marriage. In Middlesex County, real estate is often a central issue. A prenup can address how a home purchase might be titled, how down payments are treated, and whether contributions are tracked.
Limits of a Massachusetts Prenuptial Agreement
A well-drafted prenuptial agreement is a positive planning tool. It gives couples a clear way to discuss financial expectations early and put agreements in writing, especially around premarital assets, family property, and how income, debts, and major purchases will be handled.
However, there are some areas that a prenup cannot cover. Child-related issues remain under the court’s authority, so provisions that try to control future child support or custody are generally not enforceable. Our lawyers keep agreements focused on what prenuptial contracts are meant to address: financial rights and responsibilities between spouses.
Prenuptial Agreements Backed by Our Deep Experience in Family Law
Prenuptial agreements work best when they are drafted by a family law team that handles financial and relationship planning issues every day. Ryder & Phelps is a Burlington-based family law firm serving Middlesex County. We have been operating since 2017, and our team includes attorneys who have been serving families since 2002.
Because the firm’s practice includes divorce, custody and paternity matters, support, modifications, and related agreements, Ryder & Phelps brings a practical perspective to prenup drafting. The focus stays on clear terms for property, debt, income, and major assets, written with Massachusetts court review in mind.
Ryder & Phelps is led by Attorney Kathleen P. Ryder and Attorney Jordan A. Phelps, who were selected as Super Lawyers in Massachusetts and New England and have received Avvo Clients’ Choice Awards and Top Attorney Awards.
Start with a Consultation
Prenuptial agreement work at Ryder & Phelps begins with a paid consultation so there is dedicated time to understand your goals, timing, and financial picture before drafting begins.
The consultation fee is $350 and reserves a full hour on an attorney’s calendar. Meetings are available in person at the firm’s office, as well as by secure video conference or phone, depending on what is most convenient.
During the consultation, the focus is on practical planning. We discuss the wedding timeline, the types of assets and obligations that may need to be addressed, and how financial information should be gathered and exchanged. The conversation also covers how the drafting process typically unfolds, how coordination with your fiancé’s attorney works, and what steps help avoid last-minute pressure.
By the end of the consultation, you should have a clear sense of scope, timing, and next steps for moving forward with a prenuptial agreement.
Get clear guidance on prenuptial agreements. Request a consultation online or call (978) 381-1660.