How exciting!!
You are probably already dreaming about your dress, the venue, flowers, and tasting cake. (The cake I chose for my wedding was a chocolate cake with white butter cream frosting and chocolate geometric designs from William Greenberg in New York City. Yum!
Have you thought about having a prenuptial agreement?
Newly engaged couples everywhere are starting to plan their perfect wedding. So many had put their plans on hold due to the coronavirus, but now it’s full speed ahead!
Many couples are focused on sharing the big news with family and friends. Others are creating a budget, choosing a date and a wedding planner. Still other couples, more practical and financially focused, are thinking about a prenuptial agreement. Yes, a prenuptial agreement. Prenuptial agreements are not just or the rich and famous!
With over 35 years of experience as a divorce attorney and skilled prenuptial agreement strategist, I know weddings should not be all about the dress, flowers, and cake. For many savvy couples these days, especially millennials, who are responsible for the spike in prenups and the new respect for this important document, careful planning to have the best possible financially protected future together is an important consideration.
Pop culture has often portrayed prenuptual agreements as a means to protect men, their assets and property from “gold-diggers.” But not anymore…
Today many women are earning more than their partners, have previous assets and savings, and have a vested interest in protecting their financial futures.
I tell couples it is important for women as well as men to protect their assets. They should be prepared for a potential divorce rather than letting the courts decide what happens if their marriage fails.
Why should you consider a prenuptial agreement?
Let’s take a look.
1. It Can Strengthen the Relationship
In order for prenuptial agreements to work, you both have to be completely transparent with one other about your existing financial matters. This means fully disclosing your assets and your debts to one another. Get the difficult conversations out of the way as soon as possible. Trust me, the best time to talk about that maxed-out credit card is not after the honeymoon.
2. Avoiding Discussions About Financial Matters Is a Start on the Wrong Foot
Almost a third of divorces are the result of financial problems. We know you’ve heard this before, so why not address this in advance? The more communicative you are in planning your future together, the more likely that future will be “til death do us part.”
Part of your prenup discussion can include discussions about marital roles and obligations of each partner. There is nothing unromantic about smart planning. Learn about how each partner views money and finance.
3. You Acquired Property Before Your Current Relationship
One of the things that I have found is that many couples interested in a prenuptial agreement typically have acquired property or a business prior to starting a relationship with their current partner. This is particularly true with people getting married a second time. Oftentimes, a couple may want to keep some of their property separate, especially if they have children from a previous marriage. The idea here is that couples would like to see their separate property, or even a certain percentage of it, used for the benefit of their children in the event of a death or divorce.
4. Financial Independence
You’re single, you work hard, and you’re probably used to managing your finances. However, during the course of a marriage, you are likely to share certain financial responsibilities together. If maintaining a certain level of financial independence is important to you, a prenup can help set those parameters for you. One way to do that is to outline your obligations to each other and define where the lines are in terms of maintaining your own earnings. You don’t need surprises or conflicts about finances after your marriage.
5. Divorce is Very Expensive
Divorces are quite pricey and while we know that nothing can be further from your mind, the reality is that about 50 percent of marriages in the United States end up in divorce.
Think of your prenuptial agreement as something of an “insurance policy” that will save you both a lot of pain and money by predetermining who gets what at a time when you are not angry at each other.
If you are planning that spectacular wedding and want to plan for a safe financial future as well, call me.
As a prenuptial agreement specialist, with over 35 years’ experience in developing sophisticated documents, I will help protect you should your marriage end in divorce.
I want nothing more than a happily-ever-after for you. I also want a fair, financially sound, and healthy ending to your marriage if divorce does occur.
Fast turn around in creating a prenuptial agreement for you is possible even if your wedding is weeks away!
Call now to schedule your free consultation with me! 212.734.1551
Our FREE 1 HOUR CONSULTATIONS are very informative and conveniently conducted virtually to reduce risk!
I look forward to speaking with you.
Continue to Stay Healthy & Safe!
Warm wedding wishes,
Lois
Call Attorney Lois Brenner Now to schedule your FREE consultation!
212.734.1551