Look over at your partner. That is the person you love and the person you want to share your life with until death do you part. Unfortunately, not all marriages last. There is a 50/50 chance that your marriage will end in divorce, according to recent statistics.
A prenuptial agreement can protect you and your partner in the event of divorce in the future. Although no one wants to think about divorce, especially at a time when you’re so happy and celebrating your love, it is imperative in this day and age to prepare yourself and your partner for any outcome down the line.
What is a prenup? A prenup is document primarily designed to protect each partner’s assets and ensure that you keep what is yours. However, a prenup can also cover a lot of other ground. Some of the questions a prenup can address include:
- What do you wish to share?
- What belongs to you alone?
- Who will pay spousal support?
- What happens to someone’s death benefits after a divorce?
These are difficult questions, but they will help you and your partner understand the type of commitment you wish to make with each other. In other words, signing a prenup is an excellent way to really define your marriage in advance of the ceremony. And wouldn’t you rather hash out these details now, when you’re at your happiest, rather than later?
Who should sign a prenup? Everyone should, of course. That said, you may wish to do so especially in order to protect children from a previous marriage/partnership, assets from a previous marraige or a business that is shared with family members.
Should you sign a prenup? Although a prenup might seem unromantic, it is worthwhile to consider it in a different light. Wouldn’t you want to make sure that you and your partner are taken care of? This is, after all, why people buy insurance: you don’t assume that something will go wrong, but you want to protect yourself and your property just in case and you’d want your partner to be insured as well.
A prenuptial agreement can help you and your partner protect your assets, children from a previous marriage, your business and a variety of other unique issues if your marriage does end in divorce. It is beneficial to consult a divorce attorney to discuss what to include in your prenup and to make sure it addresses your specific concerns.
