It’s almost spring, and what could be a better time to tie the knot? While it’s tempting to get wrapped up in the romance, don’t lose sight of important details. Before you take the plunge and say, “I do,” you might want to draw up a prenuptial agreement.
It may not be the most romantic topic to bring up when you’re planning how you’ll start the rest of your life together. However, a prenup isn’t about anticipating divorce. It’s about preparing for life’s unpredictable twists and turns.
Think of it like insurance for your marriage — you hope you’ll never need it, but if you do, you’ll sure be glad to have it. Here are three important things a prenup can help you accomplish before you walk down the aisle.
1. Financial Transparency
Many people dislike talking about money, least of all with the person they love most. But before you’re married and what’s yours becomes theirs, it’s essential to know where each of you stands financially in terms of assets and debts.
If anything, getting a prenup makes having these sometimes awkward conversations more natural and logical — you and your fiance might feel less inhibited sharing your financial details because that’s what this is all about.
These discussions aren’t just about who owns what; they also involve setting expectations for how you’ll handle your finances together. For example, do you want to keep separate accounts or a joint account for shared expenses? And how will you handle shared or individual debts you incur while you’re married?
Questions like these might not be quite as exciting as, “Do I wear the silver cufflinks or the gold?” or “Classic vanilla or red velvet?” but it’s better to answer them before you’re married rather than just hope you’ll figure it out later.
2. Protecting Your Assets
Once you’re married, what’s yours is theirs, and vice versa — but if you ever were to separate, you’d want what’s yours to be yours.
No one wants to think about the possibility of divorce — especially before you’ve even started your life together — but it’s a reality many couples face.
Putting together a prenup ensures that what you bring into (or inherit during) the marriage stays with you in the event of a divorce. If you have children from a previous relationship, own a business, or have other significant assets, it’s especially important.
3. Minimizing Conflict
Divorce is usually messy, but going into your legal proceedings with a well-established agreement makes the whole process easier. You’ll likely be able to avoid a potentially long and contentious legal battle — along with the resulting drain on your time and wallet, not to mention your peace of mind.
Making Prenuptial Agreements Easier
It’s hard enough to plan a wedding, let alone think about a prenup. If you need some support, the attorneys at Gucciardo Family Law have your back. Don’t leave your future to chance — let us help you build a strong foundation for your marriage today.
