_______________________, referred to as HUSBAND, and _______________________, referred to as WIFE, declare and agree:

The parties were married on __________________ at _______________________________, and, WHEREAS, it is possible that the marriage may not have complied with all legal requirements, now, the parties hereby ratify said marriage to one another, waive any and all of such informalities and acknowledge that they are legally married and husband and wife.

Dated: ____________________

_________________________________
_______________________ By Husband

_________________________________
_______________________ By Wife

Witnesses as to HUSBAND:

_________________________________

_________________________________

Witnesses as to WIFE:
_________________________________

_________________________________

Ratification of Marriage
Review List

This review list is provided to inform you about this document in question and assist you in its preparation.  If you believe ratification of your marriage is a prudent step, be sure this document is witnessed by several people.  As an extra ounce of precaution, you should probably get it notarized as well.

We are believers in the power of ratification in most legal circumstances.  It eliminates much of the “I didn’t mean it” argument so often used by attorneys challenging the validity of agreements, especially those entered into without legal counsel.  If in doubt at all about your marriage’s validity, then, get this document signed, sealed, and delivered.

1. Make multiple copies.  A copy should be in your file related to your marriage; another in your home safe; one with your lawyer.

WHEREAS, _____________, and _____________, are presently residing together and have been doing so since _____________;

and, WHEREAS, they desire to affix their respective rights and liabilities that may result from this joint residency;

They now agree:

Other than property purchased in the parties joint names each party waives any claim to assets acquired by the other party before, during or after this period of co-habitation.

Other than debts validly contracted for services or materials or otherwise related to joint property of the parties, if any, neither party shall have the right to obligate, act for, contract for or represent the other party.

This is the full agreement of the parties and there are no agreements other than those stated herein. This agreement shall only be modified by a writing executed by both parties hereto.

**** READ CAREFULLY AS THIS IS A LEGALLY BINDING AGREEMENT****

DATED: ____________________________

___________________________________________
First Party
Social Security Number:

___________________________________________
Second Party
Social Security Number:

___________________________________________
Third Party, if applicable
Social Security Number:

___________________________________________
Fourth Party, if applicable
Social Security Number:

Shared Residency Agreement, Simple & Past
Review List

This review list is provided to inform you about this document in question and assist you in its preparation.  This Residency Sharing Agreement should be used when an agreement was not in place when the residency started.  It is a well care document that is more limited than the longer one appearing in this section.  This one is not preferable but sometimes is all that you can get signed.  With the theory that some agreement is better than none, we provide it here.

If younger people are involved, you are advised to get “nearest relative” information and, if you deem advisable, get back up payment guarantees from them, especially in college sharing situations.  You can take a number of preventative measures to limit your liabilities in this day and age.  Your landline phone, for example, can just have local unlimited service with no long distance provider.  This can eliminate disputes about who called Paris!

Cell phones can handle long distance, or the party can use prepaid phone cards.  Use technology to offload shared liabilities and you will benefit enormously.  Another approach is to prepay a fund for general utilities so you don’t have to scramble at month end.  And, finally, it is always the solvent party who gets leaned on to “come up” with the money on short notice.  So, if you are that party, this agreement is for you.

Longer term shared relationships and residencies can benefit from the same document that can be amended over time.  As with a Will, don’t put additional pressure on yourself by trying to make it “forever.”  One year in this kind of relationship is sufficient.  If the relationship continues, then you can extend it and the shared trust will only make it that much more effective.

1. Make multiple copies.  Get the information on the nearest relatives, if possible.  Give each party, including the nearest relatives, signed copies.  If you have more than four parties to the Agreement, add them to it.

This Agreement made this _(1)_ day of _______(2)________, ____(3)_, by and between
___________(4)____________, of ___________(5)_______________, and _________(6)
__________ of ___________(7)_______________.
WHEREAS, the parties contemplate legal marriage under the laws of the State of
________(8)________; and
WHEREAS, it is their mutual desire to enter into this Agreement whereby they will
regulate their relationships toward each other with respect to the property each of them own and
in which each of them has an interest.

Now, therefore, it is agreed as follows:

1. That all properties of any kind or nature, real, personal or mixed, wherever the same
may be found, which belong to each party, shall be and forever remain the personal estate of
said party, including all interest, rents and profits which may accrue therefrom.

2. That each party shall have at all times the full right and authority, in all respects the
same as each would have if not married, to use, enjoy, manage, convey and encumber such
property as may belong to him or her.

3. That each party may make such disposition of his or her property as the case may be,
by gift or will during his or her lifetime, as each sees fit; and in the event of the decease of one of
the parties, the survivor shall have no interest in the property of the estate of the other, either by
way of inheritance, succession, family allowance or homestead.

4. That each party, in the event of a separation, shall have no right as against the other
by way of claims for support, alimony, attorney fees, costs, or division of property.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement.

_____________(9)_______________
_____________(10)______________

______________, referred to as the prospective husband, and ______________, referred to as the prospective wife, agree:

The parties contemplate marriage and desire to fix their respective rights and entitlements regarding each other’s property. Each party herewith waives the right to:
_______________________________________________________________.

Share in each others estate upon death, whether by will, statutory right, statutory share, dower, curtsey, whether such right now exists by case law or by statute.

To alimony, whether permanent or rehabilitative, separate maintenance, or other forms of spousal support, or division of property due to their status of marriage or former marriage.

EACH PARTY IS AWARE THAT UNDER THE LAW, COURTS HAVE THE AUTHORITY
TO IGNORE THIS AGREEMENT UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES IF ANY SPOUSE IS IMPOVERISHED AND THE OTHER IS NOT.

To the sharing in the increase in marital assets regarding separate property during marriage.

To sharing in any pension, profit sharing, government or military pension plan.

Each party acknowledges an opportunity to consult with independent counsel of their own choice.

Each party acknowledges that:

They have made a full and complete disclosure of their respective financial conditions to the other prospective spouse.

Each spouse represents to the other that they have adequate separate resources for their own support.

This pre-marital agreement represents the entire agreement of the parties, and there are no representations others than those stated herein. This agreement may only be modified in a writing executed by both parties.

READ CAREFULLY BEFORE SIGNING — THIS IS A LEGALLY BINDING INSTRUMENT.

Dated: ______________________
___________________________________________
Prospective Husband
Social Security Number:
__________________________________________
Prospective Wife
Social Security Number:

Prenuptial Agreement
Review List

This review list is provided to inform you about this document in question and assist you in its preparation.  This is a straightforward Prenuptial Agreement that deals with the assets and earnings of the parties, only.  No provision is made for dealing with any issue, or children, emerging from the marriage.

Signing the agreement benefits both parties by providing clarity should the relationship dissolve.  It benefits the party with more assets by clearly leaving the premarital assets in their hands.  This is especially helpful for those people entering a marriage with a trust fund or other assets.  The weaker financial party has less reason to sign the agreement.

WHEREAS, ________________ and ___________, intend to reside together in the future;

and, WHEREAS, they desire to affix their respective rights and liabilities that may result from this joint residency;

and, WHEREAS, they have fully and completely disclosed to one another their current financial status including assets and liabilities;

and, WHEREAS, they each have had an opportunity to consult with separate counsel of their own choice or such other advisor as each independently wishes to consult;

they now agree:

Each party shall maintain separate banking accounts, and neither party shall have the right to the proceeds of or access to the same.

That each party waives any claim to palimony or other claim for support resulting from said joint residency.

That when they reside together, and by such action in no way are they to be considered as married by the common law or otherwise shall they occupy the status of being married.

That should they purchase assets in joint names, the same shall be considered as held in tenancy in common. Each party shall contribute from their own income and resources one-half of the upkeep, taxes, and other fees or charges on such property. In the event that one party fails to pay as agreed, and such the other party contribute in excess of one-half, the excess contribution
shall be chargeable to the proceeds if any upon resale of the property, and such excess contribution shall bear interest at the legal rate of interest then in effect.

The parties hereto waive any claim against the estate of the other party, save and except:

Any excess contribution to jointly acquired assets;

Any promissory notes executed by one party to the other;

Any judgment entered in the favor of one party against the other;

provided however, that should either party voluntarily and freely make a devise or other bequest to the other in their will, the recipient shall be entitled to the same.

Further this relationship was not premised upon or created by the promise of a devise or bequest from their estate.

Other than property purchased in the parties joint names each party waives any claim to assets acquired by the other party before, during or after this period of co-habitation.

Other than debts validly contracted for services or materials or otherwise related to joint property of the parties, if any, neither party shall have the right to obligate, act for, contract for or represent the other party.

The parties shall apportion the necessary and jointly agreed living expenses as follows:

_______________ shall contribute ___ per cent

_______________ shall contribute ___ per cent

Should either party be temporarily unable to contribute, the sums may be advanced. However, after advances totaling $ _____ the same will be considered to be gifts and any obligation to adjust accounts shall cease unless a promissory note is executed therefore.

This is the full agreement of the parties and there are no agreements other than those stated herein. This agreement shall only be modified by a writing executed by both parties hereto.

**** READ CAREFULLY AS THIS IS A LEGALLY BINDING AGREEMENT****

DATED: ____________________________

___________________________________________
First Party
Social Security Number:

___________________________________________
Second Party
Social Security Number:

___________________________________________
Third Party, if applicable
Social Security Number:

___________________________________________
Fourth Party, if applicable
Social Security Number:
Residency Sharing Agreement

Review List

This review list is provided to inform you about this document in question and assist you in its preparation.  This Residency Sharing Agreement should be used in all roommate and shared residency situations.  It is a well care document that stipulates who should do what; who owns what; who must pay for what; and so on and so on.

If younger people are involved, you are advised to get “nearest relative” information and, if you deem advisable, get back up payment guarantees from them, especially in college sharing situations.  You can take a number of preventative measures to limit your liabilities in this day and age.  Your landline phone, for example, can just have local unlimited service with no long distance provider.  This can eliminate disputes about who called Paris!

Cell phones can handle long distance, or the party can use prepaid phone cards.  Use technology to offload shared liabilities and you will benefit enormously.  Another approach is to prepay a fund for general utilities so you don’t have to scramble at month end.  And, finally, it is always the solvent party who gets leaned on to “come up” with the money on short notice.  So, if you are that party, this agreement is for you.

Longer term shared relationships and residencies can benefit from the same document that can be amended over time.  As with a Will, don’t put additional pressure on yourself by trying to make it “forever.”  One year in this kind of relationship is sufficient.  If the relationship continues, then you can extend it and the shared trust will only make it that much more effective.

1. Make multiple copies.  Get the information on the nearest relatives, if possible.  Give each party, including the nearest relatives, signed copies.  If you have more than four parties to the Agreement, add them to it.

The undersigned, the parents of ______________________, consent to the marriage of  ______________________ to _________________________.

Dated: _______________

______________________________
FATHER
Social Security Number:

_______________________________
MOTHER
Social Security Number:

_______________________________
Witness

_______________________________
Witness
Consent to Marriage of a Minor
Review List

This review list is provided to inform you about this document in question and assist you in its preparation.  This is a simple and clear consent to the marriage of a minor.  Be sure to have witnesses in order to prevent any challenge.  They are not strictly required in many states but it is still a sound principle to have them.

1. Make multiple copies.  Give two to the minor child receiving consent in order to facilitate getting the marriage license/certificate.  This way they can provide one to the authorities and have one for back up, should it be required then or at a later date.  Keep one for yourself.

2. If you are the sole living parent, single parent without the other parent having joint custody, or legal guardian, then we recommend you get your agreement notarized to add a level of formality to the agreement.  And, of course, modify the signature lines according to your legal status, regarding the minor.