It’s the happiest day of your life. You’re walking down the aisle toward your best friend. The person that you intend to spend the rest of your life with.
Did you sign a prenup first?
Prenups are a vital part of the wedding planning process that nobody wants to talk about. People are afraid that if they ask for one, their partner will think that they don’t trust them or that they believe the marriage is doomed to failure.
It isn’t the most romantic part of the planning process we will tell you that. With an almost 50% divorce rate though, it’s only natural that you want to protect yourself and your assets.
Now, we know you probably have questions before you sign this binding document and we’re here to answer all of them. Here are a few common inquiries that couples have regarding prenups.
What Are Prenups?Â
Let’s start with the basics. What are prenups? They are contracts that couples get into before signing any sort of wedding certificate.
It states how things will go down in the event that the couple gets a divorce. Who gets the house, who does the dog go with, what happens with debts and future earnings? These are only a few things that go into the document.
In fact, pretty much the only thing that can’t be put in a prenup is child custody.
Should I Get One?
The answer is yes. You should draw up the prenup well before your wedding day and get it over with. It won’t be the most glamorous part of the planning process, but it’s necessary.
It will help lower stress and conflicts in the event that you and your spouse do get a divorce. It can also help you keep your legal fees to a minimum.
Does Getting One Mean I Don’t Trust My Spouse?Â
Many people avoid getting a prenup because they believe it means they don’t trust their partner. We’re here to tell you that’s not true. Part of being an adult is planning for everything.
That includes unfortunate situations such as divorce. If your future spouse can’t understand that you’re simply preparing yourself, that might be a red flag.
Nothing will help you get to know your spouse better than sitting down and discussing their expectations if your marriage doesn’t end in happily ever after. It’s also true that people don’t typically get into binding contracts with someone that they don’t trust.
So, no. The prenup doesn’t have to suck all the romance out of your marriage before it begins. What will do that is a messy divorce case.
Will I Still Get Alimony?
Getting a prenup agreement doesn’t mean that you won’t get alimony. You can get a fixed amount of alimony after the divorce. Some couples agree not to do alimony unless one had to quit work for some reason.
Many choose to only implement alimony for a certain amount of time. There are some couples who don’t do alimony at all. It depends on you and your spouse.
Should I Get One Even Though I’m Not Wealthy?Â
You don’t have to be a wealthy Hollywood star to get a prenup. Let’s say that you move states away to be with your significant other and get married. After the breakup, you don’t want to stick around.
A prenup will ensure that you’re financially secure so you can move back to your home state or wherever else you want. If you put your career on hold so you can take care of your children, a prenup will help you stay on your feet until you’re able to get another job.
Say, your spouse decided to go to college (which we all know is expensive). You agree to help them get their degree and follow their dreams. You do your best to pay a good chunk of their college loans.
Then you get a divorce.
You can settle the issue in court or you could set everything out in a prenup and avoid all the drama.
How Much Does It Cost?
If you hire a prenup lawyer, they will most likely charge you by the hour. The cost all depends on the attorney, the area you live in, and how complicated your situation is.
You can expect to spend at least $2,000 dollars. Maybe a bit more. Again, it depends on your situation.
Do I Need a Lawyer?Â
If your eyes are widening over the price tag above, you may be contemplating doing your own process. Do you even need a lawyer? There are many documents that you can draw up yourself.
A prenup isn’t one of these documents. It’s not easy to enforce the agreement unless it was drawn up in front of a prenup lawyer. Your spouse could simply hand you a paper and ask you to sign it.
You can then get out of the agreement by stating that you didn’t have a chance to talk to your own attorney. It’s a classic trap that many people fall into.
Protect Yourself with a PrenupÂ
Prenups have a bad rep. Many people believe getting one will start their marriage off on a bad foot. They’re afraid that their spouse will get angry or that even suggesting one is a breach of trust.
That’s not true. The marriage itself is a binding contract. There’s nothing wrong with adding on a second one to protect your assets in the event that the first one doesn’t work out.
One major reason why people get a divorce is a difference in parenting styles. Check out the parenting section of our blog daily for tips that will help you find some common ground.
