After a Valentine’s Day proposal, when your feelings of elation eventually subside, it is time to discuss a potentially uncomfortable topic—the prenuptial agreement. These agreements get a bad rap, but they serve as an insurance policy to strengthen a marriage.
It is Never Too Early to Discuss Prenups
Why begin prenuptial agreement conservations so early? The process of forming a prenuptial agreement requires couples to hold in-depth conversations about financial circumstances, expectations, and plans. Gaining this deep understanding of financial and emotional objectives helps solidify the foundation of a relationship. Although prenuptial agreement discussions can be awkward, they will only become 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 your values and goals.
Steps Toward a Prenuptial Agreement
The process is as crucial and must contain the following discussion:
- Discussing the prospects and goals of each party
- Reflecting on future desires and potential roadblocks you want to avoid
- Enabling your partner to see that forging this agreement is an act of love, designed to reduce the prospect of worry and uncertainty
But How Do You Hold Such Conversations?
Start working toward an arrangement at least six months before the wedding. Waiting too long can cause one or both partners to feel unhappy and add undue stress.
Broach the subject with your partner in a loving, delicate way. A prenuptial agreement is not a threat or a deceptive or retaliatory act. You should not bring up the topic when one partner is angry or in the middle of an argument.
Consider employing collaboratively trained lawyers for each partner or working with a neutral mediator to foster effective communication. These conversations can be uncomfortable, so assistance from experienced non-adversarial professionals during the process can protect all interests and help keep things moving forward toward a positive resolution.
A Prenuptial Agreement is a Contract
You must understand that a prenuptial agreement is a legal contract, and that means you should give careful consideration to the entire process as you’re drawing up the document. Downloading a prenuptial form on the internet is usually a costly mistake. 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 Jones Law Firm, PC. We are happy to help you develop a prenuptial agreement that reflects the adoration you have for your partner and the life you plan to create together.
