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Feature Article


How to Ask Your Fiance for a Prenup


prenup

The months leading up to a wedding can be a stressful time. Not only must the bride and groom plan the big day, they're often dealing with drama from their relatives, wedding party members, and others involved with the preparations. Added to this is the pressure of combining incomes and choosing a place to live for those couples that aren't already cohabitating.

Along with all of this chaos comes the pressure of knowing that if things don't work out, divorce can be complicated. If you're preparing to walk down the aisle, chances are you don't want to think about it. Unfortunately, all too many couples have learned the hard way that skipping over this part of the thought process can cost serious money. This is where a prenuptial agreement can help.

A prenuptial agreement is a binding contract that states that if the marriage doesn't work out, each party keeps the financial assets and debts they brought into the union. Any assets and debts earned after the marriage becomes official is joint income and will be divided according to the law in that state. Here are a few tips for getting a prenup signed before your wedding.

Step One: Give Plenty of Notice
The week before the wedding is not the time to begin discussing a prenuptial agreement. You'll need time to get the paperwork together and make sure it represents the best interests of both of you. If your fiance refuses to have anything to do with a prenuptial agreement, extra time will let you decide whether you're willing to move forward with the wedding without those documents in place.

Step Two: Introduce It As a Discussion
Instead of merely telling your fiance you want a prenuptial agreement, mention the concept as something the two of you need to discuss. Try to emphasize the benefits to both of you in having such an agreement rather than focusing solely on how it will benefit you. Such an agreement can also cover how your estate and retirement plans will be handled, so if you feel the current financial aspects will be a problem, stress the long-term benefits of having an agreement in place.

Step Three: Meet with a Mediator
Some people create a prenup and hand it over for the other person to sign. That is a bad idea. Instead, sit down with a mediator and create the required documents. Since a mediator is a neutral party, you'll both be assured that you're getting an agreement that protects both of you.

A prenuptial agreement protects both spouses in a marriage. As difficult as it can be to consider your marriage not working out, with nearly half of all marriages ending in divorce, it's a real possibility for everyone. An agreement will ensure your finances are safe if someday things don't work out.

Written by Rick Oliver from The Law Office of Rick Oliver



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