When you think of a prenuptial agreement, you probably are like most people and immediately think about a couple in Florida who are well off and have financial interests to protect. While that is typically the main use for such agreements, that is not the only way they are used. In fact, you might be surprised to learn that many prenups contain items that do not pertain to finances at all.
Forbes explains that such clauses in a prenuptial agreement are referred to as lifestyle clauses. They can cover certain situations that are directly related to finances, even though they will generally have some effect on the financial agreement part of the document. These lifestyle clauses dictate specific behaviors during the marriage.
A good example is an infidelity clause. These often state that in the event of an extramarital affair, the offended party forfeits rights under the agreement as a whole. Clauses may also set up alimony or handle other financial details that are not often found in a prenup. However, more commonly, they aren’t related to finances at all and dictate behaviors from who clean the home to how often the in-laws can visit. There have even been clauses addressing the weight of the spouses and the allowable number of pounds that can be gained during the marriage. These clauses usually result in a financial penalty if they are not met.
The bottom line with such clauses is that they do not always stand up in court, especially if a judge deems them unreasonable. This information is for education and is not legal advice.