People put all kinds of interesting clauses into their prenuptial agreements. Things like the wealthy spouse demanding that if the marriage ends because the non wealthy spouse cheats, then they get nothing. Or another one that states than any use of illegal drugs means no pay-day on D-day. But if you want a look at some of the most outrageous prenups ever signed, look no further than Hollywood! Here, for your entertainment, is a list of some of the strangest prenups that celebrities have ever demanded of their spouses-to-be:
Tom and Katie (divorced)
This was a very interesting prenup that made marriage very lucrative for Katie Holmes. For each year the couple stays married, Holmes receives $3 million after the divorce. Alternatively, once they’ve been together for 11 years, the prenup becomes null and void, and Holmes gets half of Cruise’s fortune. Yes, you read that right. Half of everything he’s worth! However, the couple only made it six years, which meant that Katie was entitled to a cool $6 million.
Jay Z and Beyoncé (still married)
Both Beyoncé and Jay Z are independently very wealthy, so there is little fear about one taking the other’s fortune. However, both have a vested interest in protecting their own assets. Their prenup, however, accounts for more than just asset protection in the event of a divorce. If they split up, Beyoncé gets $5 million for every child she gives birth to, along with an additional $1 million for every year they were married.
Brangelina (getting divorced)
Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie were one of Hollywood’s power couples for so long that no one expected their marriage to actually end. However, unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ll know that as we speak, they are in the midst of a highly controversial divorce. One interesting fact about their prenup is the fact that it includes a directive about their kids. Specifically, if they split, Angelina gets full custody of ALL of their children.
Ben and Jen (divorced)
Although Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner are separated after ten years of marriage, the “Ben and Jen” we were referring to here was the original version, which included the first Jen he intended to marry – Jennifer Lopez. Although Ben called off the wedding shortly before the pair said “I do,” rumor has it that it was because of the prenup she wanted him to sign. Allegedly it had a no cheating clause. Additionally there have been claims that he wanted it altered to include a minimum number of sexual encounters per week, and a hefty bonus for him just for getting married.
Hugh Hefner and Crystal Harris (still married)
Hugh Hefner, the famed editor in chief of Playboy magazine, married Crystal Harris, who had been his “number 1 girlfriend” for several years. However, while many people have accused Harris of marrying Hef for his money, their prenup tells a different tale. According to the prenuptial agreement that Hef made Crystal sign, if the couple ever gets divorced, she gets NOTHING. Not a penny of his fortune. Which makes you wonder if maybe it really is true love after all!
Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas (still married)
Once again, this is a couple who are both worth a pretty penny on their own, so their prenup was more about protecting their assets than making sure that the other one make off with their hard earned cash. However, if the pair ever splits, Zeta-Jones gets $2.8 million for every year the couple stayed married. Given the fact that they were married in 2000 and are still together, that’s looking like a serious sum of money if they ever part ways.
Prenuptial agreements can seem a little outlanding sometimes, and once in awhile the demands they include can be downright strange, but there is no better way to protect your financial future than to get a prenup before you say I do. In fact, prenups are becoming more and more popular with every passing year, and given the current divorce rate, we think it’s a good thing!
We understand that it may seem strange to want to put a safety net in place right now. After all, you’re in love, and you can’t imagine not being with this person for the rest of your life. Despite how you may feel right now, however, the facts are undeniable. More than 50% of Michigan marriages end in divorce these days, and in the sad eventuality that yours is one of these, wouldn’t you rather be protected?
So if you are hoping to ensure that you and your assets are well cared for in the future, and you’re planning to walk down the aisle with the love of your life, come in and see us. The family law attorneys at The Kronzek Firm are experienced, hard working and diligent. Let us help you prepare for the future.