Well, you’re getting married! Wedding bells are chiming, family and friends are calling and the ink on the prenuptial agreement is drying. We often consider prenuptial agreements to be something that only rich and distrustful people get. However, that’s far from the truth and not helpful. Even though you may not want to think about signing one, life can be unpredictable. On top of that, you’re always better off being safe than sorry.
Prenuptial Agreement: Seeing the Positive
What a Prenuptial Agreement Means
For starters, many people aren’t completely sure on what a prenuptial agreement is. For many, they only know about them because their favorite reality TV stars had an argument over one. Because of this, the topic of one can seem insensitive. However, a prenuptial agreement is helpful for both people in case things don’t end happily ever after.
A prenuptial agreement, or prenup, as it’s better known as, is a written agreement between two partners. At its bare basics, it states what goes to who in the event of divorce or death. It can also state who will assume what financial roles once two people are no longer together.
Misconceptions
A huge misconception is that a prenuptial agreement can only come up in a marriage because of mistrust. Because of this, it may be a stressful to bring up to your future spouse. However, marriage is a serious life decision and it better to prepare for any potential circumstance. It is not just about having each other’s hands to hold, but sharing financial and legal responsibilities.
Another common misconception is that it makes money between two people untouchable to one person. That couldn’t be farther from the truth. Again, it’s just the plan of what goes where if the two of you don’t see eye to eye anymore.
Bringing This Up
If you want a prenuptial agreement but aren’t sure how to bring it up, that can be stressful. You may be worried of how your partner may take it. Of course, this is totally understandable. However, this person is your future spouse. Be aware of their feelings but know that you can talk to them about anything. Weighing how they feel about prenups is a great first step. From there, you can get a better idea of how to start the conversation. Remember, this is an agreement that is beneficial to the both of you!
Prenuptial agreements tend to get a bad reputation in our society. However, if you know the real purpose for one, you may feel the need for one. They can be hard to bring up to your future spouse because they may think you don’t trust them. In that case, make sure to be completely honest and considerate of their feelings. Afterwards, discuss how it is good for the both of you and that covering all the bases never hurt.