Prenuptial agreements can help to create a happy marriage. They force an engaged couple to confront some difficult questions about their property and other issues, so that they go into marriage with open eyes. However, many couples resist making a prenup, feeling that they are unromantic and unnecessary.
Topics of concern
If you are weighing the pros and cons of a prenuptial agreement, here are some things you should consider:
- Caution and security: For some, the agreement itself provides a sense of security. They know what to expect in the event that the marriage ends in divorce. This can be of particular concern to people who have been married before.
- Uncertainty of complicated issues: An agreement can cover multiple difficult issues, ranging property rights in the event of death or divorce, to matters like the choice of statelaw that governs the agreement in case of relocation.
- Partner objections and compromise: Respectful and civil discussion helps address other issues in the big picture. This mindset can put the parties in a good position to resolve any disagreements that pop up during the marriage. . Conversely, the inability to find common ground can lead many to question whether people who do not believe marriage involves sharing esources should marry at all.
Experience matters
The prospect of a marriage bound by an antenuptial agreement naturally raises questions and concerns. Some find a single legal document acts as a legitimate backstop for the worst-case scenario; others interpret it as a spouse’s underlying suspicion and selfishness.