You love your partner, and you’re committed to your impending marriage. But you don’t have a crystal ball that predicts the future. Unfortunately, 50% of marriages end in divorce. Nevertheless, bringing up the topic of a prenuptial agreement is never an easy task. Although this is a practical solution to protect your assets in case of divorce, this is still a taboo subject with a negative reputation.
Here are some tips on how to overcome some of the most common objections to prenuptial agreements.
Objection 1: Prenups Are Always In Favor Of the Husband.
Prenuptial agreements must be fair and equitable if they are to be held up in court. In reality, prenups empower women by placing the monetary value on non-monetary activities, like raising children, for example. So, if a woman sacrifices her career in order to raise a family, a prenuptial agreement can actually protect her by ensuring that she’s provided for in case of a divorce.
Objection 2: If the Worst Happens, I’m Sure Our Divorce Will Be Amicable.
While you would like to hope that you and your spouse will be civil in case of a divorce, you never know what the future will bring, or how your spouse will react in such a situation. Even the most loving of marriages can wind up ending badly. A prenuptial agreement that is well drafted will spare both you and your spouse from financially and emotionally draining battles in court.
Objection 3: Signing a Prenup is a Sign that We Don’t Trust Each Other.
A prenuptial agreement is not a sign that you and your partner don’t trust each other, but rather a sign that the two of you care enough about each other to protect one another in case of a divorce. Should the worst happen, you’re prepared and know how to handle the situation. In many ways, a prenup is a lot like having a disaster plan in place.
Objection 4: We’re Never Going to Get Divorced. Why Bother?
No one goes into a marriage with the intention of getting divorced, but the reality is that more than half of marriages will end this way. You cannot predict what the future will hold, or who you will be in the next year or five years from now. We all grow and change, and over time, many couples often drift apart. If you and your partner are no longer happy and did not prepare by signing a prenuptial agreement, you may lose assets that you value highly. Or your spouse may walk away with more than what you feel he or she deserves.
Objection 5: Signing a Prenup Will Make Me Worry All the Time.
While you may assume that signing a prenup will make you worry that your spouse will leave you, the truth is that these agreements often have the opposite effect. In fact, a prenup can provide you with peace of mind in knowing that if you do get a divorce, decisions have already been made about how assets will be divided and how support issues will be handled.
The Micklin Law Group, LLC is a New Jersey law firm focusing exclusively on family law for men and fathers. Attorney Brad Micklin was recently named to The National Advocates list of Top 100 attorneys from each state. To set up a consultation, call 973-562-0100.
