Difference between revisions of "Marriage Agreements"

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Reverted edits by Nate Russell (talk) to last revision by Beatrice McCutcheon
m (Reverted edits by Nate Russell (talk) to last revision by Beatrice McCutcheon)
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Remember what s. 93(3) of the ''[[Family Law Act]]'' says about the test to set aside agreements for the division of property and debt (the same principles apply to agreements about spousal support under s. 164(3)):
Remember what s. 93(3) of the ''[[Family Law Act]]'' says about the test to set aside agreements for the division of property and debt (the same principles apply to agreements about spousal support under s. 164(3)):


<blockquote><tt>(3) On application by a spouse, the Supreme Court may set aside or replace with an order made under this Part all or part of an agreement ... only if satisfied that one or more of the following circumstances existed when the parties entered into the agreement:
<blockquote><tt>(3) On application by a spouse, the Supreme Court may set aside or replace with an order made under this Part all or part of an agreement ... only if satisfied that one or more of the following circumstances existed when the parties entered into the agreement:</tt></blockquote>
:(a) a spouse failed to disclose significant property or debts, or other information relevant to the negotiation of the agreement;
<blockquote><blockquote><tt>(a) a spouse failed to disclose significant property or debts, or other information relevant to the negotiation of the agreement;</tt></blockquote></blockquote>
:(b) a spouse took improper advantage of the other spouse's vulnerability, including the other spouse's ignorance, need or distress;
<blockquote><blockquote><tt>(b) a spouse took improper advantage of the other spouse's vulnerability, including the other spouse's ignorance, need or distress;</tt></blockquote></blockquote>
:(c) a spouse did not understand the nature or consequences of the agreement;
<blockquote><blockquote><tt>(c) a spouse did not understand the nature or consequences of the agreement;</tt></blockquote></blockquote>
:(d) other circumstances that would, under the common law, cause all or part of a contract to be voidable.</tt></blockquote>
<blockquote><blockquote><tt>(d) other circumstances that would, under the common law, cause all or part of a contract to be voidable.</tt></blockquote></blockquote>


Marriage agreements should be signed well in advance of the marriage ceremony. If an agreement is being negotiated on the brink of the wedding, the court may be concerned about the fairness of the circumstances in which the agreement was negotiated and made. The emotional stress involved in arranging and potentially cancelling the wedding might be found to mean that someone was coerced into signing the agreement.  
Marriage agreements should be signed well in advance of the marriage ceremony. If an agreement is being negotiated on the brink of the wedding, the court may be concerned about the fairness of the circumstances in which the agreement was negotiated and made. The emotional stress involved in arranging and potentially cancelling the wedding might be found to mean that someone was coerced into signing the agreement.  

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