Prenuptial Agreement Attorney in Franklin

Clear Guidance For A Sensitive Conversation

Talking about a prenuptial agreement while you are planning a wedding can feel uncomfortable. You may want to protect children from a prior relationship, a business, or an expected inheritance, yet you do not want to damage trust with your fiancé. That tension is real, and you do not have to navigate it alone.

I am Julia E. Stovall, a prenuptial agreement attorney who has served individuals and families in Williamson County for more than 30 years. I help engaged clients use prenuptial agreements as planning tools, not weapons, guiding them through a process that is calm, respectful, and understandable for both partners.

As a Certified Rule 31 Mediator who has handled thousands of cases in and around Franklin, I draw on decades of family law and divorce work to draft fair, enforceable agreements. If you are wondering whether a prenup fits your situation, I invite you to learn how I approach this important conversation.

Protect your future and your relationship—talk to a Franklin prenuptial agreement lawyer today. Schedule online or call (615) 239-1374 to learn your options.

Why Work With Me

When you choose a prenup attorney to help with a prenuptial agreement, you are also choosing the tone of the conversation with your future spouse. My practice is built on listening carefully, explaining clearly, and keeping discussions focused on practical solutions rather than blame or fear.

I have practiced law in Williamson County for over three decades and have handled thousands of matters that involved property division, support, and complex family dynamics. That experience helps me see how agreements are likely to be viewed later in the Williamson County Circuit Court and how certain terms may play out if a marriage ends in divorce or by death.

My work as a Certified Rule 31 Mediator means I am trained to guide difficult discussions in a way that allows both people to be heard. For many couples, this is especially important when one partner has greater wealth, owns a Franklin area business, or is bringing children from a prior relationship into the marriage. I strive to keep the process constructive so you can focus on your future together.

I was recognized as a "Family Law 10 Best Female Attorney" in Tennessee, which reflects my commitment to client service in family law matters. That recognition matters because it reinforces what I try to provide every day, thoughtful representation and honest advice when families are making important decisions.

Because engaged clients are often juggling careers and wedding planning, I offer free initial consultations, 24/7 accessibility, and flexible appointment times, including weekends when needed. If you prefer to meet outside typical business hours here, my office will work to accommodate that request so the legal process does not add more stress to your schedule.

Who Can Benefit From A Prenup

Many people assume that prenuptial agreements are only for the very wealthy. In reality, I see a wide range of engaged clients in Franklin and throughout Williamson County who can benefit from a clear agreement before marriage. The common thread is a desire for clarity and fairness, not a lack of faith in the relationship.

Some clients are entering a second or later marriage and want to be sure that certain assets remain available for children from a prior relationship. Others own a small business or professional practice and need to think ahead about how that business would be treated if the marriage ends. Still others have significant debt or expect to receive a family inheritance that they want to keep separate.

Under Tennessee law, a prenuptial agreement can address many issues that often become contentious in divorce, such as how separate and marital property will be defined, how appreciation in value will be treated, and whether one spouse may receive support. It can also provide clarity about responsibility for existing debts and help protect a business from disruption.

Common reasons my clients consider a prenup include:

• Protecting a business or professional practice
• Providing for children from a prior relationship while still caring for a new spouse
• Clarifying how premarital property, retirement accounts, or inheritances will be treated
• Managing expectations when one partner has significantly more assets or debt
• Reducing uncertainty and potential conflict if the marriage ends

Wanting a prenuptial agreement does not mean you expect your marriage to fail. It usually means you have seen how complicated life can be, and you would rather make decisions together now while trust is strong. I work to help both partners understand what is being proposed and why.

How The Prenup Process Works

Once you decide to explore a prenuptial agreement, the process should be clear and predictable. I walk clients through each step so they know what to expect and how decisions are made. I aim to reduce uncertainty, not add to it.

We usually begin with a confidential consultation where you can explain your situation, your concerns, and your goals. During this meeting, I ask questions about your finances, family circumstances, and upcoming wedding plans. I also explain how Tennessee law generally treats property and support in divorce, and how a carefully drafted agreement can clarify or alter that default path.

If you decide to move forward, the next stage involves gathering complete financial information. Full and honest disclosure is critical. Courts in Tennessee typically look at whether both parties had a fair understanding of each other's assets and debts when evaluating a prenuptial agreement. I provide guidance on what documents are helpful, so this step is straightforward.

After disclosure, we work together to outline what you hope the agreement will accomplish. For example, you might want to keep a business as separate property, clarify what would happen with a jointly purchased home, or set expectations about support. I use my divorce experience to help you understand how different choices might play out if the agreement is ever examined by a court.

Once your goals are clear, I prepare a draft agreement in plain language. This draft is then shared with your fiancé and, ideally, with their own attorney. It is important that both people have the chance to ask questions and receive independent advice. I often help clients think about how to present the agreement in a way that invites discussion rather than demands.

We then work through any requested changes. In many cases, a few revisions help achieve a better balance that feels fair to both sides. This stage calls for patience and respect. I encourage clients to approach feedback with an open mind so that the final agreement reflects the shared values and realities of the relationship.

Timing is an important part of the process. Courts in Tennessee may be more skeptical of agreements signed very close to the wedding date. Ideally, we complete and sign the agreement well before your ceremony, which reduces any suggestion of pressure. I will work with your schedule to help keep the process on track without rushing your decisions.

Throughout the process, my office remains accessible. If a question arises late at night, you can reach out and know that you will have a prompt response. I understand that decisions about marriage, property, and family are not limited to business hours, and I structure my practice accordingly.

Planning With Confidence

A well-considered prenuptial agreement is not about predicting failure. It is about giving both partners a clear understanding of their financial lives and expectations as they begin a marriage. For many couples, that clarity actually reduces anxiety and allows them to focus more fully on their relationship.

By addressing property, debt, and possible future support in advance, you may avoid difficult surprises later. You and your fiancé can decide together what feels fair instead of leaving those decisions entirely to a court. My role is to help you translate your shared plans and concerns into written terms that align with Tennessee law.

I draw on more than 30 years of family law practice in Williamson County to draft agreements that are practical and tailored. I have seen how poorly drafted documents can create new disputes and how thoughtful, balanced agreements can give both parties confidence. That knowledge informs the advice I give you at every stage.

I also know that this conversation can feel personal and emotional. As your prenuptial agreement lawyer in Franklin, I strive to create a setting where you can ask any question without judgment. My 24/7 accessibility and flexible appointments, including evenings and weekends, are meant to make it easier for you to move at a pace that feels comfortable.

If you are considering a prenuptial agreement as you plan life together in Franklin or elsewhere in Williamson County, a first step is simply to talk through your situation. In a free, confidential consultation, I will listen, answer your questions, and outline possible options so you can decide what is right for you and your fiancé.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will asking for a prenup hurt my relationship?

Handled well, a prenup conversation can strengthen communication instead of harming it. I encourage clients to frame it as planning together for the future, not as a lack of trust. My mediation training helps you approach the topic in a calm, respectful way that invites input from your fiancé.

When should we start the prenuptial agreement process?

It is best to start several months before your wedding. Beginning early gives both of you time to provide financial information, consider options, and review drafts without feeling rushed. Courts typically look more favorably on agreements signed well before the ceremony rather than at the last minute.

What can a Tennessee prenup actually cover?

A Tennessee prenup can address how property and certain debts will be treated if the marriage ends, and it can set expectations about support in many situations. It can also help protect a business and preserve inheritances. I explain which topics are appropriate and how courts usually approach different provisions.

Do both of us need our own lawyers?

Each of you having your own lawyer is strongly recommended and often helpful for enforceability. Independent advice gives your fiancé confidence that the agreement is understood and voluntary. I am glad to work cooperatively with the other attorney to reach terms that both of you consider fair.

How much does it cost to meet with you?

Your initial consultation with me about a prenuptial agreement is free. During that meeting, we discuss your goals, the likely scope of work, and how fees would apply before you decide whether to proceed. My office strives to be clear and upfront so there are no surprises about costs.

Ready to discuss your case? Speak with a Franklin prenuptial agreement attorney today—schedule online or call (615) 239-1374 for calm, clear guidance.