Marriage used to be about merging flocks of sheep and tracts of land. Now? It’s about merging Netflix accounts, massive student loan balances, and a shared custody arrangement for a French Bulldog named Barnaby. Jos Family Law is here to tell you that the legal forms from 1950 don't cover 2024 problems. If you think you can scribble out an agreement on a napkin, you are setting yourself up for a rude awakening. You might be asking, "Can You Write Your Own Prenup and Have it Notarized?" Sure, and you can also cut your own bangs. Neither is a good idea if you want to look good in the end. The biggest issue facing young couples today isn't wealth; it's debt. If you don't explicitly state that your partner's $80,000 Master's degree debt stays theirs, you might find yourself paying for a degree you didn't earn. California community property laws are sticky, and debt loves to stick to the person with the steady paycheck. Then there is the dog. To you, Barnaby is a child. To the law, Barnaby is a used sofa. If you don't have a solid prenup that dictates exactly who gets the dog, the court might just order you to sell him and split the cash. Just kidding—but they will assign ownership based on who paid for him, not who loves him more. You need a "Pet Nuptial" clause drafted by a pro to ensure you don't lose your best friend. Don't let a generic template ruin your financial future or your relationship with your pet. A lawyer knows how to write a contract that covers the weird, messy, debt-filled reality of modern love. Be smart. Protect the dog. Clarify the debt. Hire a lawyer. To draft a prenup that covers what actually matters, chat with Jos Family Law. https://josfamilylaw.com/