How to Discuss Prenuptial Agreements

The very idea of discussing prenuptial agreements with your fiance or fiancee can be quite daunting. While concerns about trust and commitment will certainly come up, it's important to stress how prenuptial agreements protect both partners in a marriage and how they can be an effective tool in defining the relationship.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Talk to Your Partner Before Your Marriage

1. Present the discussion of prenuptial agreements as an exercise to see how open the lines of communication are between you and your partner. A prenup should be an excellent opportunity to discuss your hopes and dreams for your future and to provide financial stability and responsibility for both partners, not just the one with the most assets.

2. Use the prenuptial agreement as a way to accurately define the roles in the marital union and to place a specific value on raising children, housekeeping and sacrificing a career. Proper prenuptial agreements are designed to define the equality of each member of the marital union, not to give a financial advantage to one person or the other.

3. Discuss prenuptial agreements with your partner as a way to exclude pre-marriage debt and assets from becoming an issue during the marriage. In case of divorce or death, a carefully prepared prenup can eliminate the need for lengthy or costly legal disputes or court proceedings, saving both partners needless expense.

4. Show your partner how prenuptial agreements are an important safeguard for preserving an inheritance for children from a prior marriage or union. Prenuptial agreements should always be drafted whenever trust funds or inheritances are part of a financial portfolio.

5. Choose the right time to discuss prenuptial agreements with your partner. A prenup should be presented slowly over the course of the relationship, as opposed to being brought up a few days before the wedding. By suggesting the possibility of a prenup at a relatively early date, you give yourself time to discuss this thoroughly before concrete plans are made.

6. Pick a proper environment to discuss the possibility of a prenuptial agreement. The prenup should be discussed in a neutral setting, such as a favorite restaurant, where both parties feel relaxed, comfortable and without stress.

Tips & Warnings

• A prenuptial agreement should be considered mandatory in cases where a family business or financial portfolio may be at stake. A post-divorce battle with family members about business interests may take many years to resolve, costing thousands and thousands of dollars in legal fees.