Create a Postnuptial Agreement by using our printable template. Fill out our questionnaire and provide the following information.
1. Name and home address of each party
First, provide both spouses’ names and home addresses.
2. List of separate assets
Provide a list of each spouse’s separate assets. Separate assets are owned by one party who will retain control of them in the event of a separation or divorce.
3. List of shared assets
Provide a list of shared assets. Shared assets are assets that the parties co-own. In the event of a breakup, shared assets are typically divided between spouses or one party pays half of the asset's value to the other party.
4. Division of shared assets
Determine and specify the division of the shared assets. By default, courts will distribute assets either 50/50 or equitably (i.e., fairly). Equitable distribution doesn't always result in a 50/50 split. The default method will depend on your jurisdiction. You can also decide to divide a shared asset based on each party’s financial contribution towards the asset.
5. List of separate debts
Provide a list of each spouse’s separate debt. Each party is solely responsible for their own separate debt in the event of a breakup.
6. List of shared debts
Provide a list of the shared debts. Shared debts (also known as joint debts) are debts that both parties are legally responsible for in the event of a breakup, such as co-signed loans, joint credit cards, and mortgages.
7. Division of shared debts
Determine and specify the division of the shared debts. Most spouses split shared debts equally.
Provide information for the spouses’ dependent children and dependent children from past relationships. A dependent child is a biological or adopted child that the parents have a legal obligation to support. Generally, a dependent refers to a child under the age of 18 years.
It’s important to include dependent children in Postnuptial Agreements because they can have an inheritance or other rights that could impact the agreement.
9. Spousal support terms
Outline the terms for spousal support. Spousal support, also known as alimony or spousal maintenance, is a financial payment made by one spouse to the other in the event of separation. Spousal support helps the spouse with a lower income maintain their standard of living until they can earn a higher income to support themselves.
The amount and length of spousal support payments depend on several factors, such as:
- The marriage’s duration
- The lower-earning spouse’s future earning potential
- Individual contributions during the marriage
- Each party’s health
Addressing spousal support in your Postnuptial Agreement is completely optional. If you don't make a decision, the applicable provincial or federal laws will determine your spousal support at the time of your breakup.
10. Terms for a surviving spouse’s inheritance
Depending on your circumstances, you may restrict what you and your spouse can inherit from each other’s estate. Often, people restrict their spouse’s inheritance so their estate can be given to other parties. For example, if someone wants to ensure the care of their children from a previous relationship, they may restrict their spouse’s inheritance.
Restricting the surviving spouse’s inheritance means that they will only inherit what is given in their spouse's Last Will or the Postnuptial Agreement. Also, it means that they agree not to claim the other’s estate.