When you create a sovereign, set strength, dexterity and intelligence to zero.

Click on a different tab, then back to stats, and they will have been set back to 10*, but no points were deducted. 

*only works if you have at least 10 stat points free, otherwise they are set to however many you have left

Also, it is the points you have when you click AWAY from the Attributes tab, not the points when you return to it, that determines what the stats are set to.

If you try to then change one of these stats, the game realizes the error and automatically deducts 10 points from your total, even potentially making it negative (it won't let you start the game with it negative).

You can just leave them at 10, use the points on other stuff, and start a game without any trouble, getting 30 points free.