While a pre-nuptial agreement might restrict or waive a spouse’s right to maintenance and equitable distribution, it may not bar temporary relief, including temporary maintenance, interim counsel fees, and a temporary injunction against the disposing of marital property. Solomon v. Solomon, 224 A.D.2d 331 (1st Dept. 1996). In cases where the parties’ pre-nuptial agreement specifically provides that no maintenance will be awarded pendent lite, however, courts have held that no temporary maintenance should be awarded. See, e.g., Arzin v. Covello, 175 Misc.2d 453 (Sup. Ct., New York County 1998).
In Forsberg v. Forsberg, 219 A.D.2d 615 (2d Dept. 1995), the Second Department upheld the validity of the parties’ pre-nuptial agreement. Nevertheless, the appellate court found that Supreme Court did not improvidently exercise its discretion in awarding the wife $200.00 per week in temporary maintenance. The Second Department noted that, “Generally, the remedy for any seeming inequity in the award of temporary maintenance is a speedy trial at which the rights of the parties may be fully determined.” Id. at 617.
Thus, any pre-nuptial agreements must be carefully drafted to specifically prohibit any claims for temporary maintenance.