Annual Survey of Virginia Law: Domestic Relations

The Virginia Premarital Agreement Act applies to any premarital agreement executed on or after July 1, 1986. The Act basically allows the parties prior to marriage to contract regarding: (1) the right to manage and control property, whenever and wherever acquired or located; (2) the disposition of property upon separation, marital dissolution, divorce, death, or the occurrence or nonoccurrence of any other event; (3) spousal support; (4) the making of a will, trust, or other agreement; (5) life insurance ownership rights; (6) the choice of law governing the agreement; and (7) "any other matter, including their personal rights and obligations, not in violation of public policy or a statute imposing a criminal penalty."