Prenuptial Agreement Attorney in DuPage and Cook County, Illinois
Planning a wedding excites many couples, but it also brings important financial and legal decisions. A prenuptial agreement lets couples start their marriage with clarity, honesty, and peace of mind. At Kulerski & Cornelison, attorney Kari Cornelison helps clients in DuPage County and Cook County create thoughtful, enforceable prenuptial agreements that protect assets, clarify expectations, and strengthen relationships. With over twenty years of experience in Illinois family law, Kari provides calm, practical guidance so couples enter marriage with confidence and security.
What Is a Prenuptial Agreement in Illinois
A prenuptial agreement, often called a “prenup” or “premarital agreement,” is a written contract signed by two people before they get married. It defines each spouse’s rights and responsibilities regarding property, assets, and debts in the event of divorce or death.
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Illinois governs prenuptial agreements under the Illinois Uniform Premarital Agreement Act. To be valid, couples must sign the agreement voluntarily, put it in writing, and disclose all financial information. The agreement can determine how marital property is divided, whether one spouse pays maintenance, and what happens to certain assets such as real estate, savings, or family-owned businesses.
Even though no one expects divorce, a well-drafted prenup prevents misunderstandings, simplifies complex financial issues, and protects both spouses’ interests. It lets couples make important financial decisions together instead of leaving them to the courts later.
Why You Should Consider a Prenup
Couples choose prenuptial agreements for many reasons. Some want to protect assets they accumulated before marriage, while others want to define how future earnings or inheritances will be treated.
Prenups prove especially useful if one or both partners own a business, have children from a prior marriage, or anticipate receiving family property or investments. Prenups also safeguard spouses from each other’s debts and clarify responsibilities for shared expenses.
Even couples with modest assets benefit from a clear financial plan. Prenups do more than protect wealth; they create mutual understanding and set expectations that strengthen a marriage.
The Prenuptial Agreement Process in DuPage and Cook County
The process of creating a prenuptial agreement is straightforward but requires attention to detail and proper legal guidance. At Kulerski & Cornelison, Kari Cornelison begins with a consultation to understand your goals, review your financial situation, and identify any special considerations such as business ownership, real estate, or retirement accounts.
Once both parties agree to move forward, each spouse must fully disclose all assets, liabilities, and sources of income. Kari then drafts the agreement to reflect your intentions, while ensuring it complies with Illinois law. Both parties are encouraged to have independent legal representation to ensure fairness and protect the validity of the agreement.
When finalized, the agreement is signed before the marriage ceremony takes place. This timing is important because signing too close to the wedding date can raise questions about pressure or lack of time to review the terms. Kari makes sure the process is efficient, transparent, and respectful of both partners’ schedules and comfort levels.
What a Prenuptial Agreement Can Cover
Prenuptial agreements can cover a wide range of financial topics. In Illinois, the most common include:
- Division of marital and non-marital property
- Ownership and management of businesses or investments
- Spousal maintenance (alimony) rights and obligations
- Responsibility for debts acquired before or during the marriage
- Inheritance rights and estate planning matters
- Life insurance or trust arrangements
Prenups cannot determine child custody or child support, which courts decide based on the child’s best interests.
Benefits of Working with a Local Prenup Attorney
Every county court in Illinois may interpret or enforce prenuptial agreements slightly differently. Working with a local attorney in DuPage and Cook County ensures your agreement meets local rules and expectations.
Kari Cornelison brings two decades of experience to every client she serves. She knows how local judges evaluate prenuptial agreements, what language ensures enforceability, and how to structure provisions that stand up under Illinois law. Her goal is to protect your rights while creating an agreement that feels fair to both sides.
Kari’s clients often appreciate her ability to make the process less intimidating. She explains each section of the agreement in plain language and helps couples identify practical solutions to potential challenges before they become problems.
Postnuptial Agreements and Updates to Existing Prenups
If you are already married and did not sign a prenuptial agreement, you can still establish financial boundaries and protections through a postnuptial agreement. A postnup serves a similar purpose, but it is executed after the marriage has begun.
Postnuptial agreements are often used when couples experience major life changes such as starting a business, receiving an inheritance, or purchasing property together. Kari Cornelison can help determine whether updating an existing agreement or creating a new one is appropriate for your circumstances.
In some cases, couples revisit and revise their prenuptial agreements years after marriage to reflect new financial realities or family needs. Having a trusted family law attorney ensures that these updates remain valid and enforceable under current Illinois law.
Avoiding Common Mistakes
A poorly drafted or incomplete prenuptial agreement can cause more problems than it solves. Common mistakes include failing to disclose all assets, waiting until the last minute to sign, or using generic online templates that do not comply with Illinois law. These errors can make an agreement unenforceable in court.
By working with an experienced family law attorney like Kari Cornelison, you can avoid these pitfalls. Kari ensures your agreement meets all legal requirements and protects both parties’ interests.
Why Choose Kulerski & Cornelison
Kari Cornelison has spent her entire legal career focused on family law. From her office in Oak Brook, she serves clients across DuPage County, Cook County, and nearby suburbs, including Hinsdale, Clarendon Hills, Downers Grove, Wheaton, and Naperville.
Her philosophy is simple: approach family law with empathy, honesty, and practicality. She believes that protecting your future should not be stressful or adversarial. Whether you are preparing for marriage or revising an existing agreement, Kari provides the knowledge and clarity you need to make informed decisions.
Contact an Experienced Prenuptial Agreement Lawyer
Planning to marry in Illinois? Discuss how a prenuptial agreement can protect you and your partner by contacting Kulerski & Cornelison today. Attorney Kari Cornelison will explain your options, outline the process, and help you create an agreement that reflects your relationship and your future goals.
Schedule a confidential consultation at the firm’s Oak Brook office to learn how a customized prenuptial agreement can give you peace of mind and a stronger foundation for marriage.
Frequently Asked Questions – Prenuptial Agreements in Illinois
Couples choose prenups to protect assets, define responsibilities, and prevent future misunderstandings. They are particularly helpful if one or both partners own a business, have children from a prior marriage, or anticipate receiving inheritances. Even couples with modest assets benefit from the clarity and mutual understanding a prenup provides.
2. Can I create a postnuptial agreement instead?
Yes. It is useful after major life changes, such as starting a business, receiving an inheritance, or purchasing property together. Postnups can also update existing prenups to reflect new financial realities or family needs.
3. Why work with a local Illinois prenup attorney?
Courts in DuPage and Cook County may interpret prenups differently. A local attorney understands how judges evaluate agreements and how to draft enforceable provisions under Illinois law. Kari Cornelison has over 20 years of experience helping clients in these counties create thoughtful, legally sound agreements.
4. What are common mistakes to avoid?
Failing to fully disclose assets or debts, signing too close to the wedding date
Using generic templates that don’t comply with Illinois law
5. How do I get started with a prenup in Illinois?
Contact Kulerski & Cornelison to schedule a confidential consultation. Kari will explain the process, review your options, and help you create a customized prenup that protects your assets, clarifies expectations, and strengthens your marriage.
6. What is a prenuptial agreement?
A prenuptial agreement is a written contract signed before marriage that outlines each spouse’s rights and responsibilities regarding property, assets, and debts in case of divorce or death. Illinois law requires prenups to be voluntary, in writing, and supported by full financial disclosure.
