a postnuptial agreement is a written agreement executed after a couple gets married , or have entered a civil union , to settle the couple 's affairs and assets in the event of a separation or divorce .

it is normally " notarized " or acknowledged and is usually the subject of the statute of frauds .

like the contents of a prenuptial agreement , provisions vary widely but commonly includes provisions for division of property and spousal support in the event of divorce , death of one of the spouses , or breakup of marriage .

in rare cases , a " prenup " may be enforceable even without a marriage , such as with a domestic partnership or registered partnership .

postnuptial agreement

1 . 3 the heading names in this postnuptial agreement are provided as reference only and do not form part of this postnuptial agreement .
a postnuptial agreement is also known as a
post - marital agreement
or
postnup .
coercion / duress – if either you or your spouse uses pressure to get the postnuptial agreement signed , or does not give the other enough time to consider the postnuptial agreement , the court may not enforce the postnuptial agreement .
written – oral postnuptial agreements will not be considered valid . postnuptial agreements must be in writing .
as with any type of legal agreement , you should only enter into a postnuptial agreement after carefully considering all of the agreement’s provisions and implications . here are some of the reasons to think twice about creating and signing a postnuptial agreement .
voluntary – both parties to a postnuptial agreement must have signed the agreement voluntarily and intentionally . any indication that one spouse coerced or threatened the other into signing will make a postnuptial agreement null and void .
separate attorneys – you and your spouse should have separate attorneys if you are going to enter into a postnuptial agreement . if you do not have separate attorneys , the court will look at your postnuptial agreement more closely for unfairness and may not enforce the postnuptial agreement .
unfair and inequitable – if the postnuptial agreement favors you or your spouse unfairly , for example by leaving the other spouse with nothing , the court may not enforce the postnuptial agreement .
eastern , pa explains a postnuptial agreement - law offices of jack a . rounick , llc
when a couple enters into a postnuptial agreement , it does not automatically mean that they are thinking about filing for divorce . here are some common reasons for entering into a postnuptial agreement :
1 . 4 this postnuptial agreement may be executed in both english and other languages . if there is a conflict between this postnuptial agreement in its various translations the english version shall prevail .
these are the types of situations where it may be useful to utilize a “postnuptial agreement . ”
according to uniform premarital agreement act of 1983 , it is possible to use a postnuptial agreement to create a basis for spousal support .
postnuptial agreements are growing in popularity according to an american academy of matrimonial lawyers 2015 survey . but this doesn’t mean that a postnuptial agreement is right for every couple .
a postnuptial legal contract helps protect the financial stability of your children . without a postnuptial agreement , your spouse may be the one receiving money intended for your children .
items that aren ' t enforceable through a postnuptial agreement include issues related to child custody or child support . neither can a postnuptial agreement attempt to include terms that attempt to regulate routine aspects of a marital relationship .
5 . 1 the parties warrant that they have thoroughly read and understood every clause in this postnuptial agreement .
8 . variation any variation to this postnuptial agreement shall be made in writing and signed by both parties .
11 . 1 the postnuptial agreement is made under the exclusive jurisdiction of the laws of [ state ] .
this postnuptial agreement kit is designed for use in canada . this legal form is available for immediate download .
. this agreement and the exhibits attached hereto contain the entire agreement of the parties .
similarly , like in a prenup , it’s usually advised both individuals should have separate legal representation so that the couple can fairly represent their interests . both sides ought to select lawyers experienced in making the legitimate postnuptial agreement , so that neither one of them can topple it if a marriage ends . we cannot compare prenup agreement with a postnuptial agreement as they both are different ; however , a postnuptial agreement needs similar prenuptial elements . a postnuptial agreement can simplify a potentially disturbing divorce problem .
a couple who is not married yet and is trying to determine whether to enter into a prenuptial agreement or to wait and enter into a postnuptial agreement should give serious consideration to the prenuptial agreement .
6 . 1 both parties warrant that they have the necessary power and approval to enter into this postnuptial agreement .
to a large extent , what you can and cannot include in a postnuptial agreement will be governed by state law . some of the provisions commonly included in postnuptial agreements are as follows :
. this agreement may be amended or revoked only by written agreement signed by both parties .
but these days what raises eyebrows , and a host of new practical and legal uncertainties , is the postnuptial agreement .
anyone considering entering into a postnuptial agreement with their spouse needs to understand that these legal documents are not ironclad . even if a postnuptial agreement meets all of the threshold requirements to be valid and enforceable , courts may still strike it down .
10 . confidentiality each party irrevocably declare that they will keep the contents of this postnuptial agreement confidential and agree to indemnify the other against any and all losses arising from their making of the existence of this postnuptial agreement or its contents known publicly .
11 . 2 disputes under this postnuptial agreement shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of [ state ] .
a postnuptial agreement , which is sometimes also referred to as a postmarital agreement , is a legal document designed for couples who are already married or in a civil union .
fair – postnuptial agreements must not be unconscionable . a postnuptial agreement that is blatantly one - sided or that is otherwise extremely unjust toward one party , based on the facts and circumstances , will not be enforceable .
a postnuptial agreement is basically the same as a prenuptial agreement , except that you and your spouse enter into it after you and your spouse have already gotten married , instead of before you marry . in a postnuptial agreement , you and your spouse disclose to each other all the money and property you currently own , both
you can always negotiate the terms of a postnuptial agreement before signing , but once you’ve added your signature , it might be too late .
here are some of the circumstances where a postnuptial might be in your best interest .
signing a postnuptial document may necessitate a change in lifestyle . even when postnuptial agreements can’t outline spousal or child support , they do influence the division of property and assets .
negotiating of postnuptial agreement by a party who intends to divorce shortly afterwards is essential an agreement that has been be entered into by means of fraudulent inducement . fogg v . fogg is 1991 massachusetts case in which the supreme judicial court held a postnuptial agreement to be unenforceable because of fraudulent inducement of the contract . the wife received valuable property interests under the postnuptial agreement , then filed for divorce very shortly thereafter . the timing of the postnuptial agreement and the filing of divorce ( as well as financial disclosure issues ) are present in ansin v . craven - ansin , a massachusetts case that came out in july 2010 and allowed postnuptial agreements if certain safeguards were met . the issue of full financial disclosure is a major issue in the burkle v . burkle case , a california case in which the california appeals court upheld the postnuptial agreement signed by the parties .
7 . duration this postnuptial agreement shall commence on the date of its execution and shall have effect indefinitely unless it is cancelled by the express agreement in writing of both the parties pursuant to clause 8 .
before marriage , if one party does not like the provisions included in the proposed prenuptial agreement and the couple is unable to come to an agreement , they can simply decide not to get married . with a postnuptial agreement , the couple is already legally bound and the spouses owe a fiduciary duty to each other . there may be a concern that the provisions in a postnuptial agreement were not bargained for because one spouse did not really have a choice about signing the agreement .
2 . exclusive jurisdiction of this agreement both parties agree and declare that in the event of their separation , divorce or termination of their marriage ( including by annulment ) they will submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of this postnuptial agreement and irrevocably waiver the right to make any claims arising out of the marriage against the estate of the other except under this postnuptial agreement .
fraud – if you or your spouse fails to disclose your assets honestly or if you hide your assets , a court may not enforce the postnuptial agreement .
many people have heard of prenuptial agreements , but they are surprised to learn that there is also another similar type of legal document called a postnuptial agreement .
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5 . 6 both parties warrant that this postnuptial agreement is fair and accurately reflects their intention generally and with regard to past and future assets and liabilities .
postnuptial agreements can also provide for custody and support of minor children in the event the marriage ends in divorce or legal separation . however , this is one area where state law can restrict the provisions in a postnuptial agreement . some state laws say that postnuptial agreements that attempt to restrict or limit child support or child custody will be deemed unenforceable .
postnuptial agreements are subject to a judge’s opinion . even if you sign a prenuptial agreement , if you take the agreement to court , it’s left for the presiding judge to decide the validity and reasonableness of the document .
today , everyone knows that many marriages end in divorce . some married couples plan for a worst case scenario with a postnuptial agreement , which is similar to a prenuptial agreement , but it ' s made after the wedding .
a template that can later be used as a separation agreement – a third type of postnuptial agreement looks and feels very much like a separation agreement . these agreements spell out how child custody , child support , and spousal support would be handled in a divorce and provide for the division of the couple’s assets and liabilities . this type of postnuptial agreement may later be incorporated into the divorce decree and can limit time and expenses in a divorce scenario .
establishing pre - marriage debt – if you or your spouse brought substantial debt to the marriage , the postnuptial agreement can state that the debt stays with that spouse .
in other cases , a postnuptial agreement might make sense when one spouse has been financially irresponsible or has encountered legal trouble during the marriage . for example , if one spouse’s spending or gambling habits are causing financial stress or one spouse has been convicted of multiple duis , it might lead the other spouse to consider a postnuptial agreement .
there are generally three different , but related , types of postnuptial agreements in the united states today .
a postnuptial agreement is a contract agreed to and signed after marriage that outlines the terms and possession of assets . it is similar to a prenuptial agreement as it also protects the financial interests of both parties in the event of a divorce .
if you want to read more about postnuptial agreements , below is a summary of some of our articles .
in addition , postnuptial agreements are also important to spouses in their second marriage who have children from their first marriage . postnuptial agreements are enforceable contracts that can require a spouse to provide for children from past marriages .
the postnuptial agreement is basically the after marriage model of the prenup or prenuptial agreement . prenup agreements are very common ; contracts a couple sign before getting married to each other , specifying what will happen to assets as well as the money if the couple get separated in divorce , usually superceding local rules as well as regional laws that would decide these things . prenuptial agreements may likewise incorporate behavioral expectations or other financial arrangements , but many expectations cannot be added in a postnuptial agreement . many times couples marry without any legal contract and decide later they would be more genuine and comfortable with postnuptial agreement .
there is a significant income disparity between the parties – if there is a significant income disparity in a marriage , the lower - earning spouse may find that a postnuptial agreement’s provisions would not adequately provide for them in the event of a divorce or separation . that is not to say that couples with disparate income levels should never sign a postnuptial agreement ; however , they should carefully evaluate such an agreement before signing it .
i explained to the client the nature of the agreement , and fully advised him / her as to the effect of the agreement on his / her rights , the advantages and disadvantages of the agreement , whether or not it was prudent for the client to enter into the agreement , and whether the provisions of the agreement are just and equitable .
if you decide to change your agreement , you and your spouse will have to sign a new agreement and have it signed by witnesses .
in some states , postnuptial agreements may not be upheld if both parties were not given the opportunity to review and discuss the terms of the agreement with their own , separate attorneys .
whether a postnuptial agreement will be enforced or not depends , to a large extent , on what state you live in . some states take a hard - line approach to enforcing postnuptial agreements . if there is any indication that the parties did not make a full and fair disclosure to each other of their financial information , the entire agreement could be thrown out .
6 . 6 both parties warrant that nothing in this postnuptial agreement shall affect any rights of any children of the marriage ( whether biological or adopted ) including the right to support .
a post - nuptial agreement is different from a separation agreement , because in a post - nuptial agreement the couple is not ( necessarily ) contemplating separation , but , much like a pre - nuptial agreement it is a way of determining how assets will be divided upon separation . the reasons for entering into a post - nuptial agreement are essentially the same as the reasons for entering into a pre - nuptial , or cohabitation agreement .
if your spouse’s attorney has prepared a postnuptial contract for you to sign , be sure to review the agreement with your own lawyer . your spouse’s lawyer can ' t advise you because it would be a conflict of interest . you should hire an attorney to review the agreement and tell you whether its fair . in some states , including california , courts are unlikely to enforce a postnuptial agreement where only one spouse was represented by an attorney .
in recent years postnuptial agreements have gained popularity and there are several reasons a couple may wish to adopt a postnuptial agreement . if there is no prenuptial agreement in place , a couple may determine they still want to have a financial plan in the event of death or divorce . alternatively , a change in the couple’s financial circumstances , such as an inheritance , may require a change to the terms of a couple ' s existing prenuptial agreement .
prenup and postnup agreement contracts are not very sentimental , and many people avoid them because they don’t want to ruin their romance or don’t want to think about the negativity of divorce . however , a postnuptial agreement is the most practical thing in a marriage , especially when there is a big difference in the financial status of a couple . a postnuptial agreement is not only helpful for reducing tension , but also for living a happy life together .
validly executed – postnuptial agreements must meet the requirements of the laws of the parties’ state of residence . generally speaking , to make a postnuptial agreement valid , both parties’ signatures need to be notarized . some state laws may impose additional requirements , such as a requirement that the parties’ signatures be witnessed .
although new york law already determines how property should be divided in the event a marriage ends in divorce or death , courts will recognize a valid postnuptial agreement that may be different from how new york law would divide the property . the postnuptial agreement takes the control over your property and assets away from the state and places it in the hands of you and your spouse .
– a postnuptial agreement cannot definitively address child support issues or child custody issues . such issues must be resolved based on circumstances at the time of a separation or divorce . a court is obligated by new york law to determine whether the postnuptial agreement is in the best interests of a child , so issues of child support and custody will ultimately be reviewed by the court .
most commonly , the desire for a postnuptial agreement arises when one spouse comes into an inheritance or starts a business , or when there are children from a previous marriage to provide for .
similar to a prenuptial agreement , a postnuptial agreement establishes how the couple’s assets will be divided in the event of a divorce or legal separation and the amount ( if any ) of spousal support that one spouse will pay to the other if the marriage ends .
it is also reasonable to consider a postnuptial if you are on your second or third marriage . if you’re married to a spouse and one or both of you have children from previous marriages , having a postnuptial agreement will help protect those kids as the legal document ensures some assets goes to your children .
one party was not given adequate time to read or evaluate the terms of the agreement – postnuptial agreements are legal contracts , so it is important that both parties have the chance to read and fully understand how the agreement protects , and limits , their rights . saying you did not understand what you were signing is not likely to stop enforcement of a postnuptial agreement , so take the time to study the document and get clarification where it is needed .
international marriages provide for unique issues with respect to prenuptial and postnuptial agreements . for example , if a couple marries in england and then move to the united states , although the u . s . will recognize the marriage decree , the u . s . may not recognize the prenuptial agreement . in this case , the couple likely will have to contract for a postnuptial agreement in the united states . because florida law requires disclosure of assets in a postnuptial agreement , it can create potential issues for couples moving into the united states who seek to keep their assets confidential .
5 . 2 the parties warrant that they are aware that this postnuptial agreement is a binding legal document and that they have each been given adequate time to consider the consequences of signing it .
6 . 4 the failure or delay by either party to enforce any term of this postnuptial agreement or to act upon a breach of any term shall not constitute a waiver of their rights .
many couples contemplate a prenuptial agreement long before they walk down the aisle . unlike a prenup , a postnuptial agreement happens after a couple is married . one spouse’s bad behavior or out of control spending during the marriage might prompt the other spouse to ask for a postnup . even when the marriage is going well , couples may use a postnuptial agreement to define things , such as each spouse ' s separate property , financial responsibilities , or rights to the family business .
as a matrimonial lawyer , i suggest that one way to identify and resolve these concerns is to draw up a postnuptial agreement . postnuptial agreements , sometimes known as
postnups
, are written and executed after you ' re married . the agreement codifies the obligations and responsibilities of each partner . in fact , marriage is an economic partnership in which both parties can benefit from a written contract .
5 . 5 the parties hereby expressly waiver their rights to dispute this postnuptial agreement on the basis of lack of autonomy , duress , undue influence , lack of volition , or lack of understanding .
a major difference between a prenuptial agreement and postnuptial agreement is the disclosure of assets requirement . according to florida statute § 732 . 702 ( 2 ) , spouses do not have to disclose their assets if the couple executes the agreement before marriage . xlii fla . stat . ann . § 732 . 702 ( 2 ) ( west 2017 ) . this means that spouses entering into a prenuptial agreement do not have to disclose their assets to one another . on the contrary , florida state law requires the disclosure of assets in postnuptial agreements . id .
postnuptial agreements generally include the same types of provisions as prenuptial agreements . the primary difference is that prenuptial agreements are entered into in contemplation of marriage ( in advance ) , whereas postnuptial agreements are entered into after the couple is already legally committed .
sometimes , couples enter into postnuptial agreements simply to clearly define each party’s wishes for the property they brought into their marriage .
some legal experts say the increasing popularity of postnuptial agreements springs from the growing likelihood that both spouses will have financial lives .
in the case of billionaire frank mccourt and his wife jamie , their postnuptial didn’t survive judicial scrutiny . the mccourts signed a postnuptial agreement at about the same time that frank bought the los angeles dodgers , the baseball stadium , and surrounding land . jamie mccourt also owned several luxury homes . according to the mccourt’s postnuptial contract , the couple agreed that in the event of a divorce , frank would keep the dodgers and jamie would take the homes .
postnuptial agreements are a relatively new development under u . s . law . prior to the 1970s , postnuptial agreements were generally not enforceable . this was largely based on the idea that a married couple became a single unit at the time of their marriage and a single person or entity cannot enter into an agreement with itself .
defining marital property – just as you can identify your separate property in a postnuptial agreement , you can identify property you want to be considered as marital property , even if it is actually separate property .
establishing maintenance – a postnuptial agreement can establish maintenance for you or your spouse during the marriage , particularly if one of you is giving up a career to “raise the kids . ” also , a postnuptial agreement can establish what kind of support you or your spouse will pay to the other spouse during or after a divorce , or establish that there will be no support in case you decide to divorce .
when spouses have children from previous marriages or relationships , they may want to make sure that certain assets would pass to those children no matter what happens . a postnuptial agreement can help protect children’s inheritances .
1 . 5 the illegality or unenforceability of any clause ( or part thereof ) shall have the effect of voiding that clause ( or part thereof ) only and not the entirety of this postnuptial agreement .
establishing a postnuptial agreement can offer security , but it doesn’t completely guarantee you will avoid challenges , court battles or receiving everything you believe you are entitled to in the event of a separation . experts tend to agree that a prenuptial agreement is preferable from a legal standpoint and postnuptial agreements may not be enforceable everywhere . it ' s important to know that ultimately a court could decide not to abide by one .
this postnuptial agreement ( the “agreement” ) sets out the terms and conditions upon which [ husband name ] ( the “husband” ) and [ wife name ] ( the “wife” ) shall manage their financial and legal affairs on the event of their separation or divorce ( together , the “parties” ) .
postnuptial agreements must fulfill all of the same criteria as a prenuptial agreement including that it must be written , voluntary , completed with full disclosure , fair and conscionable , executed by both parties before a notary .
if you have any questions regarding prenuptial or postnuptial agreements , please contact us . our experienced attorneys look forward to assisting you .
similar to a prenuptial agreement , postnuptial agreements allow a couple to alleviate tension caused by financial concerns . entering into this style of contract will allow spouses to establish an equitable distribution of assets if the marriage dissolves .
to ensure that your postnuptial agreement is valid and enforceable , the agreement must be in writing , signed and witnessed , contain a complete disclosure of assets , debts and liabilities , and each party must have had equal bargaining power and contain a statement from both parties that independent legal advice was obtained .
if one spouse has stopped working to stay home and care for minor children , a postnuptial agreement can help make sure he or she will have the financial resources they need in the event the marriage ends in divorce .
the client consulted me and i gave the advice prior to execution of the agreement .
postnuptial agreements aren’t in every spouse’s best interests . for example , a lower - earning spouse may receive less property and alimony in a postnuptial agreement than if the case went to trial . a rich spouse , who wants to try and avoid alimony or dividing the family business , may try to use a postnup to protect income and assets in the future .
fogg v . fogg , 409 mass . 531 ( 1991 ) , is a postnuptial agreement enforceability case , in which the massachusetts supreme judicial court ( sjc ) denied enforcement of the agreement . it was a second marriage for both , and each had children from previous marriages . this is a situation in which a prenuptial agreement could have been very helpful for marital and family peace . if not done prior to the marriage , a postnuptial agreement could have been formulated with a marital mediator , and reviewed by estate planning attorneys followed by adopting an estate plan . this can be extremely helpful to the couples embarking on second marriages .
but even if the ultimate enforceability is not settled in a certain jurisdiction , a postnuptial agreement , if fair , can be upheld by the parties , and can relieve certain concerns so that the marriage can continue and be ongoing .
during a lengthy and expensive divorce battle , frank’s lawyer testified that he changed the agreement after jamie had signed it . under the original postnup , frank and jamie were supposed to share ownership of the dodgers and the land . because of the conflicting terms , the divorce court held that the entire mccourt postnuptial agreement was invalid .
a postnuptial agreement is valid and can be enforced as long as it protects both you and your spouse and it was entered into with a full and fair disclosure of all assets by both you and your spouse . the agreement must also be executed and acknowledged with the full formality required for a property deed to be recorded .
5 . 4 the parties declare that they have each had the opportunity to take legal advice in connection with entering into this postnuptial agreement and has either a ) done so , or b ) deemed it not necessary to do so .
while many couples are familiar with prenuptial agreements which are set in place before the marriage occurs , many are unaware of the benefits of a postnuptial agreement . postnuptial agreements are written contracts which are executed after the marriage instead of before . this agreement sets forth issues such as the division of property , how much spousal support will be required ( if necessary ) , and how the death of one of the spouses will affect the transfer of assets to the surviving spouse .
however , throughout the 1970s and 1980s legal jurisprudence evolved with regard to postnuptial agreements and many states , including alabama , began to allow them .
one of the most difficult things with a postnuptial agreement is money ; most of the times both members aren’t always in total concurrence on how money should be apportioned if a divorce occurs . couples usually thinks that one of them will get more benefits . to stay away from such thoughts , the prenup is ideal as these issues can be easily handled before marriage due to legal entitlement . apart from this , a postnuptial agreement is very beneficial and couples find it more reasonable .
3 . 5 that the above clauses ( 3 . 1 , 3 . 2 and 3 . 3 ) shall apply notwithstanding any behaviour , agreement , promise or course of action which purports to confer the rights or obligations of one party upon the other party unless it be formalised in accordance with clause 8 of this postnuptial agreement .
establishing support for children of a prior marriage – if you brought minor children into a marriage , and your spouse does not adopt them , a postnuptial agreement can help make sure the children are provided for if you and your spouse divorce .
from a public policy standpoint , postnuptial agreements were also viewed in a negative light for a long time because of the perception that they encouraged divorce .
cost of post nuptial agreement with your attorney before you make any abrupt decision . if you think
one concrete reason you might consider a post - nuptial agreement is if your present marriage is your second or third or even more marriage and you have children from a previous marriages and you may want to make sure that some of your assets go to these children of yours . another substantial reason for a postnuptial is if a spouse is unfaithful and the other spouse tries persuading the other to work on the marriage . most couples believe that signing a postnuptial agreement indicates that they really want to stay married irrespective of whatever they might be going through . finally , you might want to obtain a postnuptial agreement if you resign from the workforce to spend a greater amount of time nurturing your children and want to be certain you’ll be financially secure .
in order for a postnuptial agreement to be valid in the united states , it must meet a variety of criteria . it should be in writing , as an oral agreement is not normally enforceable . it must be done voluntarily and with full disclosure at the time it is put in place . it must also be agreed upon by both parties .
each state has its own requirements for postnuptial agreements , so be sure to check your state’s laws . generally , a postnup must meet the following criteria :
in the 1970s , when more couples began divorcing and more states enacted “no fault” divorce statutes , postnuptial agreements became more common and became more widely enforced .
talking about money can be challenging and awkward . you may feel like you do not need this type of legal agreement , but nearly everyone has some property worth protecting . a stay - at - home spouse , someone expecting an inheritance , a recently fiscally successful person or joint owners of a business should especially consider the merits of a postnuptial agreement .
if a pre - nuptial agreement is drafted and signed before the marriage takes place , a post - nuptial agreement may be created after you have said your vows . both of these documents essentially perform the same tasks . the only real difference is when they are written and when they go into effect . some couples may even sign a pre - nuptial agreement and a post - nuptial agreement .
a postnuptial agreement is a contract created by spouses after entering into marriage that outlines the ownership of financial assets in the event of a divorce . the contract can also set out the responsibilities surrounding any children or other obligations for the duration of the marriage .
a means of dividing assets and providing for spousal support – the most common type of postnuptial agreement spells out how a couple’s assets and liabilities would be divided in the event of a divorce . these agreements also address alimony or spousal support and often include provisions stating that one spouse waives the right to such support in exchange for certain marital property . property addressed and covered under this type of postnuptial agreement includes both marital property—that is property the parties acquired during their marriage—and assets or other property each spouse brought into the marriage .
beyond the basics , there are several other matters that most postnuptial agreements address . first , the agreement will lay out what happens to marital property in the event of death to one spouse . this is important because a surviving spouse may waive certain property rights they would otherwise inherit . secondly , a postnuptial agreement establishes certain terms that have been agreed to by both parties in advance of a separation . by agreeing to these terms in advance , both parties can avoid the time and cost of divorce proceedings . the disposition of property , other marital assets , custody , alimony and support and the like are agreed to by the marital partners upon separation . this part of the agreement is typically incorporated into the final divorce decree . a postnuptial agreement will also seek to establish spouses ' rights in a future divorce . these agreements address not only the marital property ; they will also often limit or waive alimony .
disclosure – full and fair disclosure is another element of valid and enforceable postnuptial agreements . at the time each party enters into the agreement , they must each make a full and fair disclosure to the other of his or her assets , liabilities , and income . this is a critical point to understand because postnuptial agreements are designed to spell out how assets , liabilities , and support would be handled if the marriage was to end . if the information that one party relied on was not accurate or complete , the agreement will not be enforceable .
as every couple’s financial picture and living situation is different , there is not a one - size - fits - all answer when it comes to determining whether or not you should sign a postnuptial agreement . the best decision for you will depend on your own financial circumstances .
a case decided by a new jersey appeals court in 1999 demonstrates that what may seem fair at the time an agreement is drafted may no longer seem so years later , when the agreement is to be enforced .
there is generally more latitude in making restrictive previsions in a prenuptial agreement than in a postnuptial agreement . the theory is that a couple can decide not to marry if they don’t like the terms of a prenup ; a couple is already married when they are developing a postnup , so the law believes there is more at state , and the couple is not bargaining at “arms length” .
marital mediators can work with a couple to identify the areas where a postnuptial agreement may assist the couple in improving and preserving their marriage . by working with the couple , the marital mediator can help the couple formulate the terms a prenuptial agreement and provide a draft of it for further review by the couple and their separate attorneys . when a couple works on the terms of a postnuptial ( or prenuptial ) agreement in mediation they have a great chance of coming up with a product that suits them both in an atmosphere of partnership and collaborative . it reduces bad feelings that can corrode a relationship . working with a marital mediator helps the couple make sure the provisions in the agreement are narrowly defined and generated by the couple itself , and not just the “boilerplate” of a lawyer .
the issue is the validity of the postnuptial agreement and whether they may be specifically enforced . see fogg v . fogg , 409 mass . 531 , 536 ( 1991 ) . the massachusetts supreme court recent announced its ruling . here are some opinions by recent news organizations and experts .
defining separate property — the property and assets you bring to a marriage are called separate property . as long as you keep your separate property separate from the property you and your spouse obtain together , the separate property continues to belong to you alone during and after your marriage . a postnuptial agreement should specifically identify which property is separate property of each of you . however , if you do not keep your separate property separate ( in your own name only ) then despite the postnuptial agreement such property may later be deemed marital property and divided equally between you in a divorce .
when drafting a prenuptial ( before marriage ) or marital agreement ( after marriage ) , it is vital to have the advice and assistance of an experienced lawyer if the agreement is going to address assets located outside the united states , or if a couple wishes for the agreement to be enforceable both in texas and in a foreign country .
n witness whereof , the parties have caused this agreement to be executed the day and year first above written .
one reason you might consider a post - nuptial agreement is if you are in your second ( or third ) marriage and have children from a previous marriage . you may want to ensure that some of your assets go to your children . another possible reason for a postnup is if someone is unfaithful and one partner wants to persuade the other to work on the marriage . signing a postnuptial agreement with favorable terms to your spouse can show that you are serious about wanting to stay married . finally , you might want to get a postnuptial agreement if you step out of the workforce to spend a significant amount of time caring for your children and want to ensure you ' ll be financially secure .
most similar to a prenuptial agreement , a postnup can be an agreement where one member of a couple waives their rights to certain property or assets ( obtained before or after the marriage ) should a divorce or separation ever occur .
in florida , a spouse seeking a divorce decree can obtain the decree without the other spouse’s consent ; however , pre and postnuptial agreements can protect assets from distribution by the court .
of course , it might sound a little weird mentioning the word postnuptial to your spouse especially if you guys are experiencing some difficulties . but make her understand that there are lots of good than harm a postnuptial can offer . for example a postnuptial is a productive way of dealing with all sorts of all kinds of financial issues in a marriage , income and expectations of any inheritances , future income or gains including property , how much inheritance will be paid to her if you guys divorce , insurance coverage including , life medical and disability etc .
with a pre nuptial agreement , one person can state that their wedding won’t happen without the agreement , but if there isn’t a legal document drawn up prior to getting married , all laws of the state will apply for the married couple . when a couple makes the decision to create a post marital agreement , there are generally two primary reasons .
in the simplest of terms , a post nuptial agreement is a legal contract between a married couple with the main purpose of outlining the division of assets and liabilities in the event a marriage ends . it could also be known as a post marital agreement . a post nuptial agreement is similar to a pre nuptial agreement but with two major differences – it is created after the marriage , and neither party is required to , or can be forced to sign it .
going for a post nuptial agreement implies you don’t really believe the marriage will forever . postnuptial contract come into lime light when a marriage dissolves . by creating one after walking down the aisle simply sends the message that there is a possibility your marriage won’t likely be successful especially you sign a postnup after
burkle v . burkle was a 2006 california case in which the enforcement of a postnuptial agreement was contested by the wife at the time of divorce ( janet e . burkle v . ronald w . burkle , 139 cal . app4th 712 2006 ) . in burkle , a divorce dissolution proceeding was pending when the agreement was executed . the parties withdrew the divorce action and lived together for four more years prior to divorcing .
the trial court said the agreement was enforceable , but on appeal the appellate division of the superior court of new jersey disagreed . to be valid , the court said , postnuptial agreements must be fair not only when they are signed but also when they are put into effect , and under this agreement mrs . pacelli would have gotten a far smaller share of the family assets than a divorce court judgment would have provided .
you received a large inheritance during your marriage , and you want to make sure it is not considered marital property . by law inheritances are separate property as long as the funds are held in the recipient’s sole name , but if there is a postnuptial agreement it should confirm the inheritance is separate property .
a contract that is , for all intents and purposes , a separation agreement that is meant to avoid the cost and time of divorce proceedings . this agreement defines the division of property , assets , and things like alimony or child support .
5 . 3 the parties warrant that they are entering into this postnuptial agreement entirely of their own free - will and volition and expressly declare that they are acting entirely free from any kind of influence , interference , pressure ( financial or otherwise ) , duress or undue influence from any third - party whatsoever .
so , if you ever find yourself regretting the fact that you did not get a prenup before getting married , or if your life and financial circumstances are changing and you want to plan accordingly , please contact new beginnings family law to find out how our attorneys can aid you in obtaining a postnuptial agreement .
if you are seeking a quality attorney , contact jack a . rounick today to learn more about prenuptial and postnuptial agreements and the important part they may play in your upcoming or recent union .
one way to protect your financial interests is to talk to your partner and write up an agreement . while it is a good idea to create an agreement when entering a new relationship with someone , you can write these agreements at any time .
did you have legal advice when you wrote the agreement ? if you did , list the contact information for the lawyers .
marital agreements , including postnuptial ones , are often considered taboo or not in the spirit of love or companionship . critics argue such contracts indicate the couple expects the marriage to fail . however , if a contract can remedy financial discomfort , the couple could choose to enter into an agreement in hopes of keeping marital harmony .
a prenuptial agreement is a contract outlining the terms of possession of assets written and agreed to before marriage . furthermore , a prenuptial agreement protects the financial interests of both parties in the event of a divorce . in florida , the spouse to be bound by the contract must have the opportunity to read the agreement and must decide on their own free will to sign it .
the experienced legal team at laura dale & associates , p . c . , will carefully draft or review your agreement and will marshal the resources necessary to assure that you maximize the likelihood that your agreement will be enforceable in more than one jurisdiction .
from a legal point of you , couples must understand they might waive a few rights if they sign a postnup agreement . for example , a postnuptial agreement that decreases divorce settlement in very less shared assets in the community property state is to the impediment of the individual who signs it . then again , if assets are large as well as the person knows this reduction is to benefit relative of a spouse , it might not make much difference .
. this agreement shall be binding and inure to the benefit of the parties , their successors , assigns , and legal representatives .
a mechanism for the parties to agree to waive spousal rights when one party dies – postnuptial agreements can also simply provide for how the couple’s property and other assets would be divided in the event of either spouse’s death . generally speaking , this type of agreement is designed to supersede a will or state laws , giving spouses certain property rights . by signing such an agreement , the parties agree to waive any rights they would otherwise have to inherit property or other assets .
9 . notices any notice served under this postnuptial agreement shall be made in writing and shall be considered served if it is handed to the other party in person or delivered to their last known address or any other such address as the party being served may have notified as his address for service . all notices shall be delivered in english .
business or career success – when people get married , it is supposed to be through good times and bad , but if one partner is doing really well , especially if there are problems in the marriage , it might be a good idea to draft a postnuptial agreement that clearly defines the division of assets in the event of a divorce .
the client appeared to understand the nature and effect of executing the agreement , and the risks and consequences which could arise there under .
pandatip : this is a likely area for attack and so the parties may wish to initial this clause , to show that it has been read and understood . if either or both of the parties have taken legal advice ( whether jointly or individually ) this should be included in the above clause as it will add validity to this postnuptial agreement .


the people mover is the public transportation agency that serves metropolitan anchorage , alaska .

it is owned and operated by the municipality of anchorage , with service primarily within city limits and to nearby suburbs , such as eagle river and birchwood .

people mover ( anchorage )

a people mover bus in east anchorage in november . ( bob hallinen / adn archive 2016 )
new people mover buses hitting anchorage streets , muni . org , retrieved 08 - 11 - 2010
according to the people mover website , veterans and people with qualifying disabilities must complete the half fare application process .
a people mover bus travels down 5th ave in downtown anchorage , alaska , on thursday , november 17 , 2016 . ( bob hallinen / alaska dispatch news )
it ' s also a boon for tourists and could lead to a boost in people mover ridership , officials said .
there are parts of anchorage where people depend more on people mover and ridership is higher , mainly in east anchorage , midtown and downtown , but the hourly schedule is still roughly the same because the system ' s resources are spread thin across a big area .
municipality of anchorage director of transportation abul hassan announces changes to the people mover bus system on tuesday at the municipal bus depot . ( loren holmes / alaska dispatch news )
the people mover is the sole public transportation agency in anchorage , alaska . with 52 buses and 14 routes , it is also alaska ' s largest public transit agency .
now , however , we do have at least one : a sensible proposal on the municipal level to consolidate services in anchorage ' s venerable public transit system , the people mover .
on wednesday , the municipality announced that people mover has partnered with google to incorporate its transit data into the tech giant ' s mapping system .
people mover ' s annual service change typically takes place during the summer . the service change process spans four to six months and includes the following steps :
it ' s a great expansion of service for those who ride people mover ,
said lance wilber , director of anchorage ' s department of public transportation , in a wednesday afternoon press conference announcing the rollout .
people mover maintains a fleet of 52 modern , comfortable , fully accessible , ada compliant buses that travel over two million miles a year . friendly , courteous and professional bus operators serve the greater anchorage and eagle river areas with 14 regular transit routes .
the city ' s americans with disabilities commission will be offering recommendations to people mover in december , said david levy , who staffs the commission and works for the city health department .
at a news conference in the people mover maintenance shop off elmore road , anchorage mayor ethan berkowitz touted the new system . he was joined by transit and union officials and representatives of alaska regional hospital — a major employer — and the nonprofit cook inlet housing authority .
a people mover bus stops at the intersection of checkmate drive and emmanuel avenue in anchorage , on nov . 17 . the part of the bus route through neighborhoods would be eliminated in the proposed changes to the bus system . ( bob hallinen / alaska dispatch news )
the good news is that there will be no reductions in routes and a couple of routes will have buses more often . the people mover system also includes anchorrides and share - a - ride .
a people mover bus pulls into the main transit station in downtown anchorage . new fares go into effect jan . 1 , including an increase for senior riders . the good news is that there will be no reductions in routes and a couple of routes will have buses more often .
most importantly , especially for first time riders , plan ahead and get the information you will need before you begin your trip . there are several other ways to obtain people mover bus information , including :
the changes are set to take effect all at once on oct . 23 — a fast turnaround for a people mover system eager to get more people on the bus . amid years of declining ridership and shrinking budgets , transit officials embarked early last year on an effort to reinvent the experience of riding a public bus in anchorage . there were public meetings and surveys .
people mover operates with a $ 32 million annual budget , about $ 18 million of this funded by the municipality , $ 6 million to $ 7 million from federal funds and the rest paid by riders .
3625 - a dr . martin luther king jr . avenue , anchorage , ak 99507
address : 3600 dr . martin luther king jr . ave . , anchorage , ak 99507
last fall , people mover officials released two redesign concepts created by a portland - based transit consultant , jarrett walker & associates . the draft plans drew more than 500 comments which were posted on the city ' s transit website .
anchorage seniors ride the people mover buses at half the cost of others on board . but all fares have been raised effective new year ' s day . the fare schedule has also been simplified so that regardless of whether one buys a pass or pays for each trip individually , the reduced fare is half the full fare .
the blue line was route 13 . it snakes to the city ' s major hospitals and the university of alaska anchorage campus and swings past the anchorage senior center before shooting north to downtown .
even so , the approach gained national attention and inspired anchorage officials to rethink the routes here .
new public transportation vehicles hitting anchorage streets , muni . org , retrieved 08 - 11 - 2010
in kennewick and richland , washington , ben franklin transit , the regional version of people mover , has a deal with local taxi companies to shuttle people to stops on the main routes . the service is quite affordable — though subsidized like all public transit — and it is very popular , officials with ben franklin told me .
sanctioned by local voters in 1973 , anchorage ' s public transportation people mover bus system began operation on july 1 , 1974 , carrying 39 , 505 passengers in the first month of service . in 2008 , it set a new annual record of 4 , 220 , 677 trips , with an average weekday ridership of 14 , 297 .
i don ' t know if something like this would be possible in anchorage , but people in these small , largely rural communities in eastern washington figured this out . maybe we can too .
people mover asks and encourages the public to participate and provide comments through public meetings , customer service , and online . public meetings take place to inform the public on what changes are being considered , and to gather comments to help make decisions .
there aren ' t many , but these folks really do need the people mover . we just can ' t forget them . one solution is simply the scaled - down version of service being considered . or , there might be more creative solutions .
like anchorage , portland has a reputation for expensive housing and high living costs , but the city ' s efficient light rail and bus systems make it easy for people to commute to more affordable nearby neighborhoods .
circuitous routes need fewer transfers . under the redesign , the people mover system would require more transfers , but riders won ' t have to go to the city ' s three transit centers — muldoon , dimond center and downtown — to do it , rudolph said .
service changes allow us to modify existing route alignments , schedules , bus stops and facilities in order to improve overall service . people mover ' s goal is to maximize the efficiency of its existing resources , and allocate them accordingly based on ridership trends and route productivity .
paul fuhs , who is active in the fairview and east anchorage business groups , says the lack of affordable housing downtown forces many people to live in muldoon where costs are lower . more frequent public transit will expand job opportunities and help employers who need their people to be at work on time , fuhs told me .
driving into fairview , a few people boarded the 13 at a low - income housing complex at the bottom of a hill on medfra street . no one boarded at the anchorage senior activity center on east 19th avenue .
most people are finding they can agree with at least one of the concepts ,
rudolph said .
a lot of bus stops don ' t have benches . some have been strategically removed in recent years based on recommendations from the anchorage police department after complaints about people loitering at bus stops all day and sleeping on the benches .
on emmanuel avenue , off boniface , two more people boarded . one was an older man using a walker .
urltoken is the official source for anchorage , alaska and southcentral alaska travel information on everything from outdoor adventures to metropolitan amenities .
he said he also hopes in making criticisms , people will offer ways to make the system work better for everyone .
we want to make sure that as many people are as close to the bus system as possible ,
berkowitz said .
by the numbers , this route is closest to most of the people who use the bus .
but at the
transit talks
public workshops this summer , people overwhelmingly favored walking farther to avoid waiting for the bus , rudolph said . he said transit officials are participating in long - term plans to make anchorage more friendly to pedestrians .
that ' s good news for smartphone users , who can now look up people mover bus routes to a destination using the google maps application . desktop users can visit urltoken on the municipality website and enter information under the header
plan a trip
now visible on the right side to access the feature .
on a frigid morning at a bus stop in muldoon , anchorage transit planner bart rudolph traced a blue line on a map .
transit planner collin hodges discusses proposed people mover route concepts with rider danielle delie at an open house sponsored by the city’s public transportation department on friday , nov . 18 , 2016 , at the mountain view library . planning manager bart rudolph chats with another rider at back . ( erik hill / adn archive 2016 )
scott pointed to a chart showing that between 30 , 000 and 85 , 000 fewer people would have access to any bus service under the two options , though a large number of people would have access to frequent service for the first time .
tim bradner is editor of the alaska legislative digest and is the visiting atwood professor of journalism at university of alaska anchorage this year .
municipal transportation managers also say reorganization will allow the system to operate without the current
hub and spoke
system , which has given us the downtown hub on sixth avenue with a bit of a seedy reputation . with a more dispersed system , people mover managers can plot where passengers make transfers and build smaller shelters there .
south anchorage assemblyman john weddleton , who owns bosco ' s comics on spenard road , spoke after berkowitz at tuesday ' s news conference . weddleton said he supported keeping some south anchorage service while making it easier for tourists to travel from one end of spenard to the other .
but with more buses arriving every 15 minutes , people won ' t have to wait as long after their walk , rudolph said .
commuter routes to eagle river and south anchorage will preserve some service to the parts of the city with the lowest ridership , using smaller buses to cut back on fuel costs . smaller buses will also serve
neighborhood routes
in mountain view , northeast anchorage and government hill - fairview .
the expanded hours are in part aimed at accommodating more people with jobs that start or end outside of regular business hours , officials said .
this isn ' t just a moderate - income issue , either . bill popp , president of the anchorage economic development corp . , said many in the millennial generation , often with higher incomes , want public transit as a matter of principle .
good public transit will make our city more attractive for younger people as a place to live and work , and for companies who employ these people ,
popp told me .
city planner thede tobish said developers see anchorage ' s bus network , marked mostly by routes with hourly and limited weekend service , as a negative .
7a spenard / airport - dimond transit center to downtown transit center via northwood st . , strawberry rd . , jewel lake rd . , and anchorage international airport
anchorage is not the first city to reimagine its bus routes . officials here were inspired by houston , texas . in houston , the results have been mixed : after initially reporting a rise in ridership , the numbers were down in december , which officials blamed on an economic downturn and fewer people going to work .
one can easily see this in vibrant cities like portland , oregon , which has excellent public transit that adds to the attractiveness of the community for young people .
would have to travel further from home to get to a bus stop . fewer people will have easy access to any bus service , particularly in south anchorage . the city ' s lightly used rush - hour route to chugiak - eagle river will be scrapped entirely , leaving only eagle river connect , an anchorrides van - type service .
as of july 1 , 2012 , university of alaska anchorage students must be enrolled in the current semester , use their wolfcards and swipe the card in the farebox card reader to ride for free . additionally , alaska pacific university , anchorage charter college and alaska career college students , staff and faculty may show their current semester school id and ride for free .
that sums up anchorage ' s bus network : try to reach a little bit of everybody , and take time to do it . but a bold change appears to be coming .
buses now operate regularly throughout the municipality , which is good . but on many routes at the extremity , like where i live in south anchorage , there is very low ridership .
back to bus 60 in my neighborhood . as much as i see the efficiencies and common sense of consolidation , i do see people occasionally waiting for the bus in oceanview .
the way the system is designed now , people rarely have to walk further than a quarter mile to get to a bus stop . that distance could double under the current proposals .
she was adamantly against the more drastic proposal , known as the
100 percent
plan , to almost entirely cut bus service to south anchorage . she had appointments on that side of town .
e without bias by the city and police , instead of being protected as a
part if the team .
what about the rest of us ? we ' re the citizens of anchorage ,
a lot of lower 48 developers that look at anchorage , or just in general , tell us they won ' t consider higher density if there ' s no bus route ,
tobish said .
numerous u . s . cities , from new york to chicago to portland , oregon , have already rolled out the technology . anchorage officials started looking into it about four years ago , wilber said .
the final maps released tuesday reflect some of those comments , said city transit planner bart rudolph . in early drafts , transit officials had proposed cutting service to far south anchorage and to eagle river entirely .
rudolph , the transit planner , also pointed to the year of surveys and meetings , which found that anchorage residents were overwhelmingly willing to walk further to get a bus with more frequent , direct service .
another bus rider , matthew scott , 37 , had a copy of the consultant ' s report in his bag . he uses the bus to get to his job at pacific alaska wholesale in south anchorage .
102 eagle river / chugiak ( mon - fri , am & pm rush - hour ) - chickadee st . & eastside dr . to alaska native medical center via downtown transit center and university of alaska anchorage
returning to the business at hand , berkowitz said that if more money comes in , either from the state or federal government , the city can expand the new network to reach even more people .
of course some riders are on the bus because they find it better than coping with a car and finding parking , as well as reducing traffic congestion and the pollution caused by anchorage ' s many private vehicles .
in 2012 , brendan babb was part of a team of programmers who won the anchorage economic development corp . ' s hackathon with a working model for the application . babb , a research technician for the alaska center for energy and power , had used the bus route feature on google maps while traveling in the san francisco bay area to speak at academic conferences . he wondered , like others , whether it could come to anchorage .
he said he also was concerned about so much authority being concentrated in mayor ethan berkowitz in stamping final approval on the change . the anchorage assembly is not scheduled to hold a hearing or a vote on the redesign .
faced with declining ridership and cuts driven by constricting budgets , and inspired by transit officials in other cities , like houston , texas , anchorage transit officials started surveying the public in april about ways to shake up the system .
7j spenard / airport - dimond transit center to downtown transit center via 88th ave . , raspberry rd . , collins way , and anchorage international airport ( only serves the airport during monday - friday nights and weekends . )
what remained unclear tuesday : the plan for clearing snow and ice from anchorage sidewalks , particularly in neighborhoods . sidewalk snow removal is notoriously slow or nonexistent , with sidewalks used for snow storage by state and city street maintenance crews .
she said she could live with the less dramatic proposal , known as the
80 percent
plan . but instead of an overhaul in favor of frequent service , people should just learn the bus schedule , she said .
we ' re still going to have ride guides ; there ' s still people who love to have that stuff on paper ,
wilber said .
this is just another tool that works for the community .
look down the column of times from your departure point then across to identify your arrival time . many people find it easier to plan a trip by working backwards from the time they want to arrive at their final destination .
anchorage ' s current bus network dates back to 2002 , oriented around the transit centers . routes change slightly from year to year , but the design of the system hasn ' t seen a major shake - up since the day it began .
after months of studying anchorage ' s bus routes , transit officials say they ' ve decided on a major revamp aimed at making it easier to catch the bus in the city ' s most populated areas at a cost of fewer neighborhood stops .
the reorganization would reduce or eliminate services at the extremity , depending which option is decided , so that service can be concentrated on the higher - use corridors that connect downtown with the midtown commercial and residential district and residential areas of east anchorage .
anchorage won ' t gain or lose bus drivers because of the new plan . but riders may board smaller buses in some areas . transit officials plan to use 22 - foot buses for less - frequent and neighborhood routes to save money and fuel .
right now , the people are kind of upset when they get on the bus , because they ' ve waited an hour ,
morgan said .
this will be every 15 minutes , which is going to make a big difference .
academic work bears out these relationships . the research is a little dated , but a 2011 study from the nonprofit center for transit - orientated development showed a link between growth in knowledge industries that employ professional , technical and scientific people within areas served by good transit systems .
if anchorage wants to add to its luster for outdoor recreation , there ' s a connection to that too . i ' ll never forget getting off a plane in salt lake city and boarding a bus with my gear for the drive up little cottonwood canyon to the alta and snowbird ski resorts .
the ride was quiet . in 45 minutes between muldoon and fairview , three people boarded . all of them got off at hospitals , the alaska native medical center and providence alaska medical center . over a few stops between the hospitals and downtown , the bus picked up no one .
this is the point that bill popp makes . if anchorage wants to build on its higher - wage , more knowledge - based economy , more efficient public transit will help . it will also help diversify the local economy because improved transit will make office parks , commercial centers and recreation possible in dispersed locations .
with more money , the city could expand the new network and reach more people , berkowitz said . he pointed to his administration ' s attempts to gain a larger share of federal funds split with the alaska railroad as one potential source of transit dollars . those efforts have so far deadlocked .
instead of hourlong waits buses would come at 15 - minute or in some areas more frequent intervals . this has an important economic development aspect because it means people in those areas , many working in moderate - income service jobs , will be able to get to work and back more easily .
what i expect will happen , we ' re going to hear a lot of pushback from people who are going to say , ' i have to walk further to my bus stop , '
smith said .
i think that will be hard to hear , and hard to listen to .
but now , a new eagle river bus , route 92 , will travel between the eagle river transit center to downtown anchorage in the morning and evening . residents of peters creek , chugiak and birchwood may need to drive to the transit center to catch the bus , but rudolph said the goal was to avoid cutting service entirely .
anchorrides is a shared ride service providing trips in compliance with various funding sources , including ada transportation service to people with disabilities that prevent them from using our fixed route system ; senior citizens age 60 and over ; and other coordinated trips . individuals may be eligible for anchorrides under multiple funding sources . each funding source has unique criteria .
anchorrides is a transportation provider for the state of alaska , senior and disability services to people eligible for the medicaid home and community base waiver program . eligibility and transportation unit must be pre - authorized by the state of alaska . recipients ' care coordinators submit enrollment plans of care and pre - authorization information to the anchorrides medicaid specialist .
etter at all . the regular big bus drivers , most of them , they pretty much know how to stay on time , but some of the shuttle drivers , they need to learn how to stay on time with what is written in the bus schedule , because blowing through their runs and leaving people hanging is not right at all .
half fare includes seniors age 60 and over , youth age 5 - 18 , individuals with medicare cards . proof of eligibility required at each boarding . veterans and people with qualifying disabilities must complete the half fare application process . download an application or you may pick one up from customer service . proof of eligibility required at each boarding . to view the application on a translatable webpage , click here .
i know the system is not that great when it comes to frequency compared to other parts of the country . i know most of the routes are hourly and it ' s difficult for people to use them ,
scott said .
on the other hand , there ' s broad enough coverage , if this is a system you need to use , you have a choice for where you can reside in the city .
and there ' s now late - night airport service — route 40 , with frequent service through spenard , will deliver riders to ted stevens anchorage international airport between 6 a . m . and 2 a . m . on weekdays . weekday service on all lines will run from 6 a . m . to midnight . weekends will also gain service , with buses running between 8 a . m . and 8 p . m . on saturday and 8 a . m . and 7 p . m . on sunday .
with stops almost everywhere and a route that takes nearly an hour to traverse 13 miles — that ' s an understatement .
if you were designing a route that wanted to hit everyone without having them walk very far , this is the route ,
rudolph said .
now two redesign concepts are circulating created by portland - based consultant jarrett walker & associates .
but , in the densest parts of the city , buses will arrive much more quickly — every 15 or 30 minutes , instead of by the hour . and
both redesign proposals mark dramatic departures from the status quo . and it ' s all happening somewhat quickly . officials expect to pick a preferred concept by the end of january , and hope the change will take effect aug . 1 .
on a recent monday , at 10 : 15 a . m . , the 13 bus pulled away from the intersection of muldoon and debarr roads .
near the intersection of northern lights boulevard and boniface drive , about 15 minutes into the ride , a man in a baseball cap and purple winter coat with a fur ruff boarded . then the bus turned down a residential street off boniface . it bounced over speed bumps .
streets , cul - de - sacs and parking lots would become much rarer . buses would mostly stick to major roads .
route 13 hits critical areas , like the hospitals and the universities , rudolph said . but it ' s one of the most circuitous and least - used routes in the city , he said . the route averages about 19 riders for every hour the bus is in service .
over the past decade , budget cuts have chipped away at service , rudolph said . the proposed redesign is about
using the exact same budget we have today , but using it differently and in a more efficient manner ,
he said . city officials say they can ' t afford more buses and drivers for the system .
take northern lights boulevard . that stretch of road has been designated by city planners as prime for redevelopment .
if buses came every 15 minutes along the roadway instead of every hour , businesses and developers could see an opportunity in recruiting employees or in saving money on parking , said city planner tom davis , who has been working on an update to the city ' s land - use map in consultation with transit officials .
the nearest bus stop under the
100 percent
design would be up the icy hill for seniors and other neighborhood residents .
but they may not have to walk it . for those who qualify , door - to - door paratransit service , with anchorrides , isn ' t going to be affected , rudolph said .
beverly moore , 85 , said she ' s ridden the bus four decades and regularly attends transit meetings . she was wearing a long purple jacket and had a gray bag that said
peace .
in an interview , berkowitz countered that the redesign plans grew entirely out of public feedback .
but berkowitz , who campaigned on improving the city ' s public transit system , supports a big change . he said the city has changed its bus - use patterns substantially in the past two decades .
the notion of being static … just doesn ' t make sense to me ,
berkowitz said .
rudolph said the city wants to build a
backbone
of frequent , useful service that can expand over time , rather than sticking to a model that tries to get as close as possible to everyone ' s front door .
the two preferred redesign concepts were released in early november . the first round of public meetings and open houses wrapped up nov . 19 . feedback has largely been positive so far , rudolph said .
a second , final series of public meetings with members of the city ' s public transit advisory board will start dec . 5 .
advisory board chair , jed smith , said he supports changing the system . but he also plans listen to testimony with an open mind .
html public
- / / w3c / / dtd xhtml 1 . 0 transitional / / en
urltoken
our mission is to connect our community with safe , reliable transportation options ; emphasizing customer service while providing economic , social and environmental benefits .
the current browser does not support web pages that contain the iframe element . to use this web part , you must use a browser that supports this element , such as internet explorer version 5 or later .
the results come with walking directions to bus stops , travel time , transfer opportunities and a fare estimate .
after the hackathon , babb volunteered to work with the municipality ' s information technology department to develop the technology . that effort kicked into high gear within the last six months and included a monthlong review by google .
the technology currently draws on schedule data . real - time bus data is provided by the bustracker application .
bustracker , babb pointed out , is more helpful for those searching routes on a computer . it is less accessible for mobile users , who now simply need to change the transportation mode in the google maps app when searching a route to a destination .
the plan is to make that data available to the public and other developers for the creation of mobile apps , babb said .
i ' m excited that the data is in there ,
he said .
there ' s a lot of other applications that can use it , not just google .
to view information regarding the 2018 service change , scheduled for monday , july 2 , 2018 , click here .
every day , changes occur within our community that can affect the transit system . we respond by regularly reviewing these changes and determine if adjustments need to be made to better serve you .
senior transportation is provided with funding and guidelines from the older americans act . senior citizens age 60 and over may receive trips for specific trip purposes . the eligible trip purposes allow access to non - emergency health care , adult daycare , senior meal programs , pharmacies , and employment and volunteer sites . for more information , see the rider guide located on the policies page .
direct secure message ( dsm ) : kim . mattson @ urltoken phone : 907 . 343 . 2577
as the state - designated coordinated transportation service , anchorrides also has contracts to provide trips with various local and non - profit organizations .
officials published maps of the new system tuesday morning . at first glance , the maps look like the city has fewer routes and less coverage .
but there ' s a trade - off . on major roads , buses will be arriving much more frequently . many routes are transforming into straight shots between two points for a faster trip instead of winding through neighborhood streets .
some buses will come every 15 minutes compared to an hour now on most runs — though that means fewer stops overall and more walking for riders , which may be difficult in winter .
it ' s an exciting time for us to try something new , because the thing that was old wasn ' t getting the job done ,
berkowitz said .
it ' s not bus - i - ness as usual .
when no one immediately laughed , berkowitz added :
it ' s a pun .
in the new system , all of the route numbers will be changing . four new
frequent routes
— re - numbered 10 , 20 , 30 and 40 — will run along northern lights boulevard , debarr road and 15th avenue , as well as through mountain view and spenard . on top of that , more buses will run every 30 minutes .
another commuter bus , route 91 , will run between the dimond transit center and the huffman business park and oceanview drive on the old seward highway .
also in response to demand , officials created the new route 21 in mountain view , which will ferry residents from neighborhood roads to nearby shopping malls and grocery stores . some residents said they didn ' t want to walk through the neighborhood at night .
only one route is unchanged : the 9 , re - numbered as the 35 , which runs from the dimond transit center to downtown along arctic boulevard .
with eight new transfer points , the redesign effectively dismantles the current
hub and spoke
system that often forces travelers to transfer downtown .
transit officials originally promised a final decision on the new bus system at the end of january . rudolph said the extra months have been spent in part on finding creative ways to accommodate concerns , like retaining service to eagle river .
the union that represents city bus drivers praised the overhaul tuesday . tim morgan , the business representative for teamsters local 959 , said union members were excited by the changes . he said he expected it to lead to better customer service .
morgan said he assured union members that no jobs would be lost . if the approach is successful , the city may be able to expand the number of drivers , he said .
asked about the sidewalk issue , berkowitz blamed the state of alaska . he said it would be
easier
if state - owned and managed roads , like northern lights and debarr , were plowed more quickly .
berkowitz said the new routes were designed to ease the walking burden for likely riders .
correction : an earlier version of this story said the new airport bus ran on route 30 . it ' s actually route 40 .
back to the previous page , bus stop isn’t in the automated system . . . though the sign says effective october 2017
lly be here . . . since bus stops no longer give you a time as to when the bus might be here . . . only the main stops which i am no where near . . . not to mention that i had to walk over a half mile to get to the stop . . . . instead of 1 / 2 a block and that you have to go out of the app to get any info on the bus is beyond stupid
in october 2017 than i have had in the previous 10 years of regularly using the bus system . supposedly
etc . ) this has not actually improved service at all . i still wait , on average , at least 20 minutes past when a bus is supposed to arrive , despite buses being scheduled to stop every 15 minutes , the only difference
weather and heard they had been waiting over a half hour , due to an accident up the road . we saw not one but two nearly - emp
15 minutes for the next scheduled bus to arrive to finally be on our way . i don ' t see how this is
improved
today was another bad example . the bus i caught was around 15 minutes late when it arrived at tudor + pipe
r . at a stop in anmc , the driver stood up and announced that anyone that was not going directly to muldoon would need to step off the bus and get on the one behind us . i figured this was an attempt to make up time by skipping a large number of stops , and since my stop is muldoon + bo
undary , i stayed on the bus . only when we arrived at the muldoon transit stop did he state that he would not be making any other stops other than the va . had i known this earlier , i would have switched buses . instead i had to add a mile to my walk home in below - free
routes for their public bus system , they need to sell the contract to a private company . i use the
bus to get to and from 2 jobs , and they treat me like a vagrant just for using their service . i literally can ' t list all of my complaints
against them , except for the main one , which is that because the bus is running by the city , and the city doesn ' t give a shit about the working poor , you can ' t get concerns addressed at all . also , the transit center employees are super abusive and hateful to their customers .
and what can we do ? my car was stolen and i have to use the bus until i can afford a new one .
we pay for the bus and the cops and the courts . . . why aren ' t we part of the team ? but i digress .
so just waited at a stop for 40 minutes . mind you the bus is supposed to be there every 15 . i had one bus pass by that was
out of service
but it really didn ' t
pass by
as it stopped and let someone
off but not me on . called to find out what ' s going on and dispatch informed me his system showed a bus came by and when i informed him that bus was out of order he was not surprised .
if they are running late they will switch to out of order so the following bus will not catch them . nevermind that it ' s anywhere between 0 to 20 degrees but god forbid you pick someone up right ? and it sounded like a normal acceptable
talking to the guy . this was the main thing i worried about with the
improveme
nts
. i already have to walk 2 some blocks to get to the stop but waiting in the cold . . . gre
it ' s the first tuesday of july , and you know what that means ; a new department spotlight for # transittuesday ! this month is all about our anchorrides department , providing paratransit and coordinated transportation services for eligible riders . for more on anchorrides and to view previous months spotlights , visit urltoken # transittuesday # anchorrides # publictransportation # peoplemover
on the final planning division # transittuesday , we take a deeper look into the process of implementing a service change , much like the one we have planned to go into effect monday , july 2 , 2018 . you can catch up on all the # transittuesday features at urltoken , and learn more about our upcoming 2018 service change by visiting urltoken
take a look at the individual pieces that come together to form the puzzle that is the planning team on this week ' s # transittuesday ! each member is an integral component in keeping our transit system operating efficiently and successfully . remember to visit urltoken for more behind - the - scenes looks !
! this month is all about our anchorrides department , providing paratransit and coordinated transportation services for eligible riders .
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error . page cannot be displayed . please contact your service provider for more details . ( 12 )
day pass good for unlimited rides on day of use . expires at midnight .
30 - day pass good for 30 consecutive days beginning on day of first use .
smart cards reduce boarding time and can be replaced when lost or stolen for a fee . the cards can be loaded with a 1 - week pass or 30 - day pass . simply tap the card on the farebox when boarding . adult fares can be reloaded downtown at the transit center using the ticket vending machine . download a smart card application here .
located in the downtown transit center only , the ticket vending machine sells passes , tickets and adult fare smart cards . at this time , the tvm is cash only .
how to ride the bus dvd is available on youtube or from customer service . dvds have subtitles in english , spanish , tagalog and korean .
look at the bus route system map found the back of the schedule book and at some bus stops to determine which route ( s ) serve your origin and destination .
identify your departure and destination timepoints . always use the timepoint before your stop .
two helpful tools are located online . the bus tracker web page provides information on where the bus is and estimted arrival times at specific stops . the my neighborhood web page lets you type in an address to find bus routes in the vicinity . choose
local services
from the drop down menu .
arrive at the bus stop five minutes prior to the scheduled arrival time of the timepoint shown before your bus stop location . all bus stops are clearly marked with a blue , green and white bus stop sign that has round decals indicating the routes that serve that stop .
before boarding , identify the route name , number and direction of travel , to ensure it is going to your destination . the bus route name and route number are on the front of the bus above the windshield and on the right hand side of the entrance to the bus . you may obtain and use a “hailing kit” if you have visual disabilities . ( see page 8 in ride guide )
make sure the bus operator can see you standing at the stop by facing the bus or by signaling with a small flashlight . sometimes , especially during the winter months , it is difficult for bus operators to see you unless you signal them .
if the bus is not the route you need , and you are alone at the stop , wave the bus by with a wide motion .
board the bus at the front door . alert the operator if you need the ramp deployed or have the coach lowered .
have the exact fare ready . operators do not make change . notify the bus operator if you wish to purchase a day pass before you deposit money into the farebox , which allow you to ride all routes on the same day for one price . place money or ticket into the farebox .
the seats in the front of the bus are reserved for senior citizens and disabled passengers , so the operator may ask you to move if those seats are needed .
when the bus is approximately two blocks away from your stop , signal the driver to stop by pulling the cord above the window once or by pushing the signal tab on the wall once ( next to accessible seating ) .
exit using the rear door and stay clear of the bus after exiting . be alert as you get off the bus .
bicyclers should notify the bus operator of the need to retrieve a bicycle and exit through the front door .
never cross the street in front of a public bus . wait for the bus to pull away so you have a clear view of the street .
cross at the cross walk or street corner . if there is a light , wait for it to turn green or for the walk signal . follow all pedestrian rules .
have additional questions ? call our customer service staff or ask about free travel training .
error . page cannot be displayed . please contact your service provider for more details . ( 6 )
maps & schedules note : bus service does not run on memorial day , independence day , labor day , thanksgiving day , christmas day , and new year’s day .
2 lake otis - dimond transit center to downtown transit center via lake otis pkwy . and 36th ave .
8 northway - muldoon transfer center to downtown transit center via turpin st . , boniface pkwy . , commercial dr . , and 3rd ave .
15 15th ave / debarr - muldoon transfer center to downtown transit center via debarr rd . and 15th ave .
6102 , 6106 , 6113 , 6115 , 6119 to guelph transit commission 152 - 156 in 2000 .
this page was last modified on 16 january 2018 , at 03 : 21 .
i hear a lot about budget deficits in state and local government , but i don ' t hear many creative suggestions to reorganize the way public services are delivered .
the plan isn ' t aimed so much at saving money — the same number of buses will operate , but it would make improvements for efficiency and make the system sustainable in the long run .
take bus 60 , for example , which serves my neighborhood . i see it all the time , on the hour , on schedule , regular , dependable ––and typically empty . bus 60 costs $ 2 million a year to operate , i ' m told , and it really pains me to see it moving down oceanview drive with no one aboard .
there ' s a connection between this and portland ' s vibrant economy too .
it should be no surprise that employers in service industries supporting higher - income knowledge industries like food , accommodation , recreation and the arts show similar relationships to public transit .
my point is that we shouldn ' t just wring our hands about the lousy fiscal situation our regional governments are in . we should get busy with solutions and not be afraid to think outside the box .
the views expressed here are the writer ' s and are not necessarily endorsed by alaska dispatch news , which welcomes a broad range of viewpoints . to submit a piece for consideration , email to commentary @ alaskadispatch . com . send submissions shorter than 200 words to letters @ alaskadispatch . com .
seniors and others who qualify need to have one dollar in exact change , instead of 50 cents , when they board for one trip . they also need to show proof of eligibility which includes a picture id each time they board .
seniors 60 and older ; youths age 5 to 18 , and individuals with medicare cards are eligible for the half - price ride . a medicare card will substitute for a picture id .
riders can choose to buy an id card at the downtown transit center . internet access to urltoken offers a wealth of information about the public transportation system . there is also a print guidebook , which shows routes and provides other information , but it is the august issue , so while it ' s still valid for routes and handy tips , the new fare schedule is not in it .
asking for information by making a phone call is also an option at the rideline , 343 - 6543 . rideline operators are available monday through friday during the usual daytime business hours . the number is easy to find , it ' s prominently displayed on the buses themselves .
supporters of public transportation are quick to note that the ability to take the bus is critical for those who need rides if they are going to be able to go to work or get to the grocery store or to a medical appointment .
at present the main bus depot is downtown . mayor sullivan wants the city to buy a piece of federal property in midtown near lowe ' s and home depot at 40th avenue and denali street to build a new transit center . if that effort is successful , the city will also need construction money and the hub of the system would look more like a wheel with routes as spokes and the hub in the middle .