Why you need to sign your Antenuptial Contract a few months before you marry

John and Susan are getting married on the 5th of October 1993. They have chosen to get married by way of an Antenuptial Contract. John and Susan signed the contract on the 3rd of October 1993 in front of their attorney who had a Power of Attorney on their behalf to sign in front of a Notary, as the attorney was not a Notary, as well as in front of two witnesses. The attorney had the contract executed in front of the Notary on the 23rd of October 1993. John and Susan got married on the 5th of October 1993, in the knowledge that their marriage was out of community of property as they had signed the Antenuptial Contract on the 3rd of October 1993. John and Susan lived happily ever after or did they?

John and Susan never followed up with their attorney to confirm that their Antenuptial Contract was executed by the Notary before they got married on the 5th of October 1993. They simply assumed all was in order. Once the Antenuptial Contract was registered at the Deeds Office on the 5th of November 1993, the attorney forwarded the Antenuptial Contract to John and Susan for safekeeping.

Some years later, Susan decided to purchase a property in Camps Bay. She applied for a bond at Investment Bank on her name only and furnished them with all the necessary documents to assist with the qualification of the Bond, including the Antenuptial Contract. The Legal Risk department, after perusing Susan’s documents, questioned the legality of the Antenuptial Contract. It was signed on the 3rd of October 1993, two days before the marriage, and registered at the Deeds Office on the 5th of November 1993, within the three months of execution, so why is the legality of the Antenuptial Contract being questioned?

Upon closer scrutiny of the Antenuptial Contract, it was noticed that the Antenuptial Contract, although signed by John and Susan two days before their marriage, was only executed by the Notary on the 25th of October 1993, which is after their marriage was solemnised. In terms of Section 87 of the Deeds Registry Act 47 of 1937, the contract must be executed by a Notary before the date of marriage, failing which the contract is invalid and the parties are declared to be married in community of property. Thus, Investment Banking will now require John to sign a spousal consent form, and the property will form part of both John’s and Susan’s estate.

In terms of Section 21(1) of the Matrimonial Property Act 88 of 1984, John and Susan may approach the High Court by bringing an application to have the Antenuptial Contract declared valid. Although a lengthy and expensive process, it is not impossible to have the marriage regime rectified to constitute marriage out of community of property.

In summary, if you are marrying and your intention is to be married out of community of property, you should be aware that entering into an Antenuptial Contract is not a quick process. The governing legislature must be taken into account and followed precisely in order for the Antenuptial Contract to be valid. Therefore, contact your attorney at least three months before the wedding date to ensure that there is adequate time for the Antenuptial Contract to be signed by you and your partner, in front of two witnesses and attested before the Notary before the wedding date. If you have not signed in front of the Notary but in front of your attorney who has a power of Attorney, follow up with your attorney if to ensure that the contract has been attested by the Notary before you get married so that you can ensure you live happily ever after.

Reference List:

• Deeds Registry Act 47 of 1937
• Matrimonial Property Act 88 of 1984

This article is a general information sheet and should not be used or relied on as legal or other professional advice. No liability can be accepted for any errors or omissions nor for any loss or damage arising from reliance upon any information herein. Always contact your legal adviser for specific and detailed advice.