(a) A premarital agreement or amendment shall not be enforceable if the party against whom enforcement is sought proves that:
(1) Such party did not execute the agreement voluntarily; or
(2) The agreement was unconscionable when it was executed or when enforcement is sought; or
(3) Before execution of the agreement, such party was not provided a fair and reasonable disclosure of the amount, character and value of property, financial obligations and income of the other party; or
(4) Such party was not afforded a reasonable opportunity to consult with independent counsel.
(b) If a provision of a premarital agreement modifies or eliminates spousal support and such modification or elimination causes one party to the agreement to be eligible for support under a program of public assistance at the time of separation or marital dissolution, a court, notwithstanding the terms of the agreement, may require the other party to provide support to the extent necessary to avoid such eligibility.
(c) An issue of unconscionability of a premarital agreement shall be decided by the court as a matter of law.
(P.A. 95-170, S. 6, 11.)
History: P.A. 95-170 effective October 1, 1995, and applicable to premarital agreements executed on or after that date.
Connecticut Premarital Agreement Act endorses, clarifies and codifies McHugh standards and does not require attachment to the agreement of written financial disclosures, signatures of both parties if signed by party seeking to invalidate the contract, and delivery of the agreement to each signing party. 48 CS 502.
Subsec. (a):
Presentation of draft of prenuptial agreement 1 week before wedding is not sufficient to show lack of opportunity of adequate financial disclosure by defendant, where defendant informed plaintiff 2 months before the wedding that defendant wanted a prenuptial agreement; demonstration of reasonable opportunity to consult with legal counsel under section only requires opportunity for consultation, consistent with interpretation of identical statutory language. 281 C. 166.
Prenuptial agreement that disclosed approximate property holdings and other financial obligations but failed to provide sufficient income information was unenforceable under Subsec.; “fair and reasonable disclosure” need not be exact but must at least provide a general approximation of amount, character and value of property, financial obligations and income. 132 CA 609.
Structure Connecticut General Statutes
Section 46b-20. - Definitions.
Section 46b-23. (Formerly Sec. 46-4). - Joining persons in marriage knowingly without authority.
Section 46b-24a. - Validation of marriages occurring in town other than town where license issued.
Section 46b-25. (Formerly Sec. 46-5b). - Application for license.
Section 46b-28. (Formerly Sec. 46-6). - Validity of marriages celebrated in a foreign country.
Section 46b-28c. - Prior divorce in another state or country. Validity of marriage in this state.
Section 46b-29. (Formerly Sec. 46-5e). - Marriage of persons under conservatorship.
Section 46b-30. (Formerly Sec. 46-5f). - Marriage of minors.
Section 46b-32. (Formerly Sec. 46-5i). - Failure to make license available; penalty.
Section 46b-33. (Formerly Sec. 46-5j). - Copy of law to applicants.
Section 46b-34. (Formerly Sec. 46-7). - Marriage certificate. Affidavit in lieu of certificate.
Section 46b-35. (Formerly Sec. 46-8). - Certificates prima facie evidence.
Section 46b-36. (Formerly Sec. 46-9). - Property rights of spouse not affected by marriage.
Section 46b-36a. - Short title: Connecticut Premarital Agreement Act.
Section 46b-36b. - Definitions.
Section 46b-36c. - Form of premarital agreement.
Section 46b-36d. - Content of premarital agreement.
Section 46b-36e. - Effect of marriage on premarital agreement.
Section 46b-36f. - Amendment or revocation of premarital agreement after marriage.
Section 46b-36g. - Enforcement of premarital agreement.
Section 46b-36h. - Enforcement of premarital agreement when marriage void.
Section 46b-36i. - Statute of limitations re claims under premarital agreement.
Section 46b-36j. - Premarital agreements made prior to October 1, 1995, not affected.
Section 46b-38a. - Family violence prevention and response: Definitions.
Section 46b-38g. - Programs for children impacted by domestic violence.