When couples get married, most do not like to worry about what may happen in the event of a divorce. In situations when young people get married, they may feel like they do not have any assets worth protecting yet. Therefore, many Illinois couples do not have a prenuptial agreement in place. However, this can be quite costly in the long run.

Prenuptial agreements are established to protect the assets of each spouse in the event of a divorce. Without an existing prenup, a couple will divide all the marital property equally between the two parties. Marital property may consist of any asset accumulated during a marriage, excluding gifts, inheritances and trusts.

Depending on the details that a couple may choose to include in a prenup, assets may be divided differently. There may also be ways to limit property rights and spousal support included in the stipulations of a prenup.

Recently, it was revealed that supermodel Heidi Klum and her husband, singer Seal, have filed for a legal separation after being married for over seven years. According to a number of sources, the couple did, in fact, have a prenuptial agreement drawn up prior to their wedding.

In 2005 when the couple was married, Seal was arguably more successful and had more earning potential than his wife. In the past several years, however, Klum has amassed a fortune estimated at roughly $70 million. She has television deals, a jewelry line and other assets that are likely protected under the terms of a prenuptial agreement.

Details about the agreement have not been released. Who will get the $14 million mansion the couple shared? Will her interests in her businesses remain intact? Will either of them receive any spousal support? These are likely questions that will need to be answered moving forward.

By having a prenuptial agreement, a couple can avoid a number of challenges that may come up during the divorce process.

Source: Life & Style, "Heidi Klum Has A Prenup, Made First Move in the Split," Jan. 24, 2012