“I should have taken a booth at the Bridal Fair,” a friend said recently…
It’s wedding season and once again and businesses cashing in on the happy times are strutting their services.
So is my friend a photographer, baker, bridal dress purveyor or honeymoon planner?
None of the above.
He’s a divorce lawyer whose firm specializes in the man’s perspective of family law.
Let’s call him James B. for the purpose of this story.
The most consistent condition he confronts is that of couples who call it quits but never insured their marriage with a prenup agreement.
“With a better than 50-50 chance of divorce these days, how could they not have protected themselves?” he asked.
It’s one thing to be young and poor with stars in your eyes and nothing much of any value to split up.
But what makes absolutely no sense are the couples about to enter into their SECOND or THIRD marriage without a safety net.
They probably have built up nice nest eggs and should be smart enough to want to protect it—no matter how much in love they may be.
My lawyer friend is very much aware that partners often times have qualms about bringing up the subject of a prenup—especially men.
But the subject SHOULD be addressed in this day and age.
And even if the couple is really into each other, it shouldn’t be looked upon as a potential negative but a positive for the future well-being of the partners.
“Should the marriage ever falter it makes matters of settlement so much cleaner….and definitely takes the sting out of it,” said James.
Here’s another idea…
If either partner has trouble bringing up the subject of a prenup then possibly have their pastor hint at it. Or maybe the family’s attorney could broach the subject as a conversation starter.
But going into a marriage without a prenup is like driving a car without insurance, because you know it’s likely to backfire at some future point.
So the wedding season is upon us again. And to those (now) happy couples not partaking of that proverbial prenuptial agreement, James B. makes a good living dealing with the partners AFTER the fact.
I could understand a prenup when there is a large difference between incomes but for the average Joe Schmo you might as well be saying, “So how do we want this marriage to end?”
agree. “oh, we’ll never need it… we’re too much in love!! but, ya know… like just in case…. might not hurt. that book i’m writing? hm… could be a best-seller in a few years….”.
and so another seed is planted and there ain’t no prophylactic for that one.