Entering into a marriage is such a beautiful and exciting experience, and one that comes with many potential sources of conflict that can be anticipated and avoided. Often, in the glow of an impending wedding, the idea of creating a prenuptial agreement seems anathema to the very idea of marriage. Isn’t the whole idea about two becoming one, for better or worse, etc? The truth is, a prenuptial isn’t just about pre-planning an eventual divorce. A wisely crafted prenuptial agreement can actually make a marriage stronger by removing many sources of conflict before they even have an opportunity to materialize.
It’s no secret that money usage and debt can be a huge point of contention for relationships. Especially for those who have significant assets, business interests or significant debts, the conventional wisdom that prenuptial agreements are just for rich, greedy people simply does not hold true anymore.
This kind of protection can be especially helpful for those who engaged to someone who has been married before, and may have responsibilities to a prior marriage, or for business owners who want to ensure that their marriage is not inextricably tied to the business. The truth is, whenever there are significant assets, there is the chance that the presence of money may strain certain relationships. Even if the people who joining in marriage are reasonable and trustworthy, there may be other family members who are prone to meddle in affairs and cause trouble. Creating legal boundaries keeps the main relationship safe against this kind of trouble.
Similarly, perhaps you have significant debt from a previous marriage or business venture. It is plain on its face that creating a barrier of protection between your liabilities and the one you love is a caring choice.
There are many ways that a well-crafted prenuptial agreement can bring life and safety to a marriage, instead of prophesying doom before the vows are even said. If you believe that a prenuptial agreement may be right for you, an experienced lawyer can help you explore the options while ensuring that you are creating the best document for strengthening your marriage.
Source: The Chronicle Journal, “Financial considerations before a second marriage,” Murray Becotte, accessed Oct. 12, 2016