When the feelings of elation from a Valentine’s Day proposal subside and you start thinking about wedding plans, it’s time to discuss a potentially uncomfortable topic—the prenuptial agreement. These agreements get a bad rap, but they are like placing an insurance policy on a marriage–they provide a solid foundation.
It is Never Too Early to Discuss Prenups
Why begin discussing prenuptial agreements so early? The process of forming a prenuptial agreement involves rational conversations about financial circumstances, expectations, and plans. A deep understanding of financial and emotional objectives will help solidify the foundation of your relationship. Although prenuptial agreement discussions can be awkward, they will only become much more difficult as the wedding date looms.
Couples are in alignment during the early stages of an engagement, making it an opportune moment to plan for the future. This is the ideal time to establish expectations regarding a romantic and economic partnership, including the values and goals.
Stages of Achieving a Prenuptial Agreement
The creation process is as crucial as the resulting agreement. During these conversations, you should:
- Disentangle the prospects and goals of each party
- Reflect on future desires and potential roadblocks you want to avoid
- Enable your partner to see that by creating this agreement as a measure of love, you will reduce the prospect for worry and uncertainty
But How Do You Effectively Have These Conversations?
Begin working toward an arrangement at least six months before the wedding; waiting too long can cause one or both of you to feel unhappy and add undue stress.
Broach the subject with your partner in a loving, delicate way. A prenuptial agreement should not be a threat or a deceptive or retaliatory act. This is not the kind of discussion to have when one partner is angry or in the middle of an argument.
We recommend employing collaboratively trained lawyers for each party or working with a neutral mediator to foster effective communication. These conversations can be uncomfortable, so working with experienced non-adversarial professionals during the process protects all interests and helps to keep things moving forward toward a positive resolution.
A Prenuptial Agreement is a Legal Contract
You must understand that a prenuptial agreement is a legal contract, and that means you should give careful consideration from the start to the finished document. Downloading a prenuptial form on the internet is often a costly mistake for many reasons. At the very least, these generic documents are often unenforceable.
For more information about the benefits of prenups and the process of designing an agreement, contact Naimi Mullins Law Group. We would be happy to help you develop a prenuptial agreement that mirrors the adoration you have for your partner and the life you plan to create together.
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