At the Law Office of Joseph Cerino, we want your marriage to be happy, healthy and successful. Part of that includes protecting yourself and your partner from a dreaded worst-case scenario. A prenuptial agreement, also called a prenup, is a written agreement between an engaged couple regarding the rights and responsibilities surrounding their premarital and marital assets in the case of divorce or death. A prenup can seem like a plan for failure, which makes it easy to understand why couples might believe that discussing a prenup could harm their relationship.
In reality, the opposite is true. Money issues are one of the leading causes of divorce. Prenups force partners to discuss finances, goals, spending and saving habits, and any debt they have accrued prior to the engagement. A prenup can be a wise move, and it can help build the foundation for a stronger relationship.
Like anything, relationships change and evolve over time, which is why it is important to have serious and heartfelt conversations about money before making the largest commitment of your life. Prenuptial agreements allow couples to make decisions about their future while they are level-headed and on the same page, rather than during an argument or fight that can skew judgment. Since money and communication are among the top causes for divorce, having an open and honest conversation before issues arise helps to prevent them in the future.
There is a common misconception that prenups are just for the rich and famous, however, that’s far from the truth. There are several common reasons for drafting a prenup because everyone has something to protect when it comes to their finances and assets. Some common reasons for an agreement include:
- One or both parties have already been married
- One or both parties have children
- One party is wealthier
- One party has more debt
But when should the prenup process begin? It is generally a good idea to have this conversation as early as possible. Emotions can run high when in the midst of wedding planning, which can lessen the benefits gained from the discussion. This also provides time to involve attorneys for the drafting and review of the document. The time frames of different couples are different, though. It is usually a good idea to have one finalized at least 30 days before the ceremony.
If you need help with a prenuptial agreement from an experienced family attorney, call the Law Office of Joseph Cerino today at (239) 561-2820.
