Alaska Prenuptial Agreement Attorney

Can a couple write their own prenup in Alaska?

The answer is *technically* yes but with an asterisk. You may be able to write a prenup that stands up in court in Alaska, but you’re playing with fire. There are several state rules you need to follow in order to ensure your prenup is enforceable. Here are some of the things you should know:

• Both parties must provide a complete and honest disclosure of their financial assets and liabilities. Hiding or omitting information can jeopardize the agreement’s validity.
• The agreement cannot be unreasonably unfair to one party.
• The agreement may become invalid if significant changes in the couple’s circumstances make its enforcement unjust.
• (Andrew B. v. Abbie B., 494 P.3d 522 (2021)).

You may be wondering, “Do I even need a prenup attorney for this? Is it a legal requirement?” Well, the Supreme Court of Alaska addressed this exact question in a case from 2021. The Court stated that it will consider factors such as the amount of time given to sign the agreement, the ability to consult independent legal counsel, and the understanding of the agreement by both parties (Andrew B. v. Abbie B., 494 P.3d 522 (2021)).

These considerations help determine the voluntariness and fairness of the agreement. However, the key word to take note of is that the factor is the ABILITY to consult with a lawyer. Alaskan courts want to see that each person had the resources and the time to get a lawyer if they wanted one, but it doesn’t mean that it’s a requirement. The Court also noted that out of these factors (time to sign the prenup, ability to get a lawyer, and understanding of the prenup), no one single factor is dispositive. Meaning the three factors need to be weighed and evaluated together to reach a conclusion.

Bottom line? Hiring an attorney is not a prerequisite to a valid and enforceable prenup in Alaska, but whether or not each party had the ability to hire one may be considered.

How much does a prenup attorney in Alaska charge?

One of the most important questions you need to ask when looking for a prenup attorney is how much will it cost? You need to understand what the attorney charges so you can budget accordingly (weddings ain’t cheap!). First thing to understand is that attorneys typically charge hourly. (But they may provide prenup services for a flat rate, so make sure to ask!). If you’re going the hourly route, you will want to get an idea of how many hours it will take. But beware–it can be very hard to estimate for a lawyer because they can’t predict how many questions you’ll have, how much negotiation will take place, etc.

While we don’t necessarily know how much your specific prenup will cost you (everyones situation is unique), we conducted a survey of several family law attorneys across the U.S. (though none of them were in Alaska), and the average prenup cost for a couple was $8,000.

However, with HelloPrenup, things are a lot more straightforward. You can purchase a prenup for just $599, plus add on attorney services for an additional flat rate cost.

What does a prenup attorney do?

So, if you’re ready to hire an attorney, what can you expect from them? Well, for starters, it’s important to understand that by hiring a prenup attorney you are not simultaneously hiring a divorce attorney. You can have one prenup attorney to do your prenup and then hire someone else down the road (but there’s a good chance you’ll never have to).

• They will negotiate on your behalf with your partner’s attorney. If you and your partner don’t agree on everything, your attorneys will handle the negotiations for you (with your approval). 
• They will explain what all of the clauses mean so you feel confident in the agreement you’re signing. 
• They focus on collaboration and creating a strong foundation for a marriage. 

One of the most important questions you need to ask when looking for a prenup attorney is how much will it cost? You need to understand what the attorney charges so you can budget accordingly (weddings ain’t cheap!). First thing to understand is that attorneys typically charge hourly. (But they may provide prenup services for a flat rate, so make sure to ask!). If you’re going the hourly route, you will want to get an idea of how many hours it will take. But beware–it can be very hard to estimate for a lawyer because they can’t predict how many questions you’ll have, how much negotiation will take place, etc.

While we don’t necessarily know how much your specific prenup will cost you (everyones situation is unique), we conducted a survey of several family law attorneys across the U.S. (though none of them were in Alaska), and the average prenup cost for a couple was $8,000.

However, with HelloPrenup, things are a lot more straightforward. You can purchase a prenup for just $599, plus add on attorney services for an additional flat rate cost.