The McKinney Amendment to Postnuptial Property Agreement is a legal provision specific to the state of Texas that can significantly impact postnuptial agreements in terms of property ownership, division, and rights. This amendment, named after the state representative William N. McKinney, has introduced crucial changes aimed at protecting individuals and ensuring fair distribution of assets in case of divorce or death. In essence, the McKinney Amendment aims to safeguard the rights of spouses by allowing them to waive their community property rights on an individual asset basis. Under this amendment, couples have the option to modify their postnuptial property agreements to include specific terms regarding asset ownership and division, overriding the default community property laws of Texas. This allows spouses to customize their separation of property and protect individual assets from becoming community property in the future. There are different types of McKinney Amendments that can be made to a postnuptial property agreement, depending on the couple's preferences and circumstances. These may include: 1. Explicit Division of Assets: This type of McKinney Amendment clearly outlines the specific assets that will be considered as separate property for each spouse. It ensures that certain assets acquired during the marriage are protected as individual property and will not be subject to community property laws. 2. Future Income and Earnings: Some McKinney Amendments address the issue of post-marital income and earnings. These amendments can clarify whether income generated by either spouse after the postnuptial agreement will be treated as community property or separate property. 3. Business Ownership and Assets: In cases where one or both spouses own a business, a McKinney Amendment may be added to protect business interests. This can determine whether the business or its profits will remain separate property or become community property. 4. Inheritance and Gifts: Another common type of McKinney Amendment addresses the treatment of inheritance and gifts received by either spouse during the marriage. It can specify whether such assets or funds will be considered as separate property or subject to community property laws. 5. Debt Allocation: Some postnuptial agreements with a McKinney Amendment account for the allocation of debts in case of divorce or death. This ensures that certain debts or liabilities acquired during the marriage are attributed to the responsible spouse and do not become joint obligations. It is important to note that each McKinney Amendment must comply with Texas family law and be executed with the appropriate legal procedures and professional advice. Parties should consult their attorneys to ensure the validity and enforceability of any amendment to their postnuptial property agreement according to the McKinney Amendment provisions specific to the state of Texas.
Para su conveniencia, debajo del texto en español le brindamos la versión completa de este formulario en inglés. For your convenience, the complete English version of this form is attached below the Spanish version.