Opinion ID: 2103674
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Provisions of the Rhode Island Statute

Text: In order to assess the validity of the premarital agreement, we must examine the terms of the document in light of the provisions of the act. In this state all premarital or antenuptial agreements executed on or after July 1, 1987, between prospective spouses made in contemplation of marriage and to be effective upon marriage must comply with the provisions of the act. Because the agreement in controversy was entered into on March 17, 1988, it is subject to the provisions of the act. The Family Court justice found that the parties entered into the agreement in accordance with [§] 15-17-1, the section of the act that defines the terms premarital agreement and property. Sections 15-17-2 and 15-17-3 of the act set forth the requisite formalities and permissible content, respectively, of premarital agreements, while § 15-17-6 specifies the conditions that  if proven by the party against whom enforcement of the agreement is sought  render the agreement unenforceable. In the case before us, the Family Court justice invalidated the premarital agreement on the ground that it was unconscionable when it was executed by the parties. The defendant, on the other hand, contended that the agreement was valid and enforceable. We agree with defendant. Section 15-17-2 requires that a premarital agreement must be in writing and signed by both parties. It was undisputed that the instant agreement was in writing, and it was undisputed that both plaintiff and defendant signed the agreement on March 17, 1988. Although at trial plaintiff denied that he had signed the agreement, the Family Court justice made no finding of forgery, and plaintiff's counsel conceded at oral argument that plaintiff had signed the agreement voluntarily. Furthermore, although § 15-17-2 expressly states that a premarital agreement is enforceable without consideration, at trial, the attorney who notarized the parties' signatures testified that defendant provided as consideration marriage and care of the elderly gentleman. Thus, the formalities required by § 15-17-2 were met. Because it is undisputed that the parties married, under § 15-17-4, the agreement became effective upon the marriage. Pursuant to § 15-17-3(a), parties to a premarital agreement may contract in respect to (1) The rights and obligations of each of the parties in any of the property of either or both of them whenever and wherever acquired or located; (2) The right to buy, sell, use, transfer, exchange, abandon, lease, consume, expend, assign, create a security interest in, mortgage, encumber, dispose of, or otherwise manage and control property; (3) The disposition of property upon separation, marital dissolution, death, or the occurrence or nonoccurrence of any other event; (4) The modification or elimination of spousal support; (5) The making of a will, trust, or other arrangement to carry out the provisions of the agreement; (6) The ownership rights in and disposition of the death benefit from a life insurance policy; (7) The choice of law governing the construction of the agreement; and (8) Any other matter, including their personal rights and obligations, not in violation of public policy or a statute imposing a criminal penalty.