First, we want to congratulate you if you’re on the road to marriage. An impending marriage can be an exciting time in a couple’s relationship. That being said, you may not want to spoil this otherwise romantic time with talks of a prenuptial agreement. This is understandable, as there are many myths surrounding prenup negotiations, and, in some cultures, prenups are even seen as taboo.
However, conversations about prenups do not have to be awkward, and they don’t have to ruin the romance. In fact, prenup conversations can help soon-to-be-married couples contemplate and discuss their financial future together. The attorneys at Cyrus Pacific Law have helped many couples through this process, and we have seen firsthand the positive impacts a prenup can have on a relationship.
You might be worried about how to discuss a prenuptial agreement with your partner. Today, we’ll discuss some of the best ways to bring up this subject in a positive light.
Discuss your prenup with a qualified attorney at Cyrus Pacific Law.
Get StartedSo, What Is a Prenup?
Some myths surrounding prenuptial agreements stem from a misunderstanding of what a prenup actually is. Simply defined, a prenup is a contract between two people that intend to marry. The prenup can dictate how property will be divided upon divorce or the death of a spouse. Therefore, prenups protect the spouses in the case of a divorce and can also be used to decide property ownership if one of the spouses passes away.
What Do You Include in a Prenup?
Prenups can address the distribution of personal property, real estate, or business interests. They can also allocate financial responsibility for certain debts. Prenup negotiations can be helpful in more ways than one, as they force future spouses to discuss their general financial goals and expectations. These discussions help the spouses be more strategic with their money management—and can ultimately help them sidestep stressful financial arguments in the future.
How to Bring Up a Prenup
When bringing up a prenup with your future spouse, we recommend that you emphasize the positive aspects of having one. This should help you and your partner begin prenup negotiations with the mutual understanding that you are doing something that is mutually beneficial.
Now, let’s look at some specific talking points.
Talking Point 1: Prenups Can Foster Communication About a Couple’s Financial Future
We all know that communication is key in any relationship. And this is especially true when it comes to finances. Having a conversation about your financial expectations before you get married can save you countless arguments down the road. By getting difficult topics out of the way early, you start the rest of your lives together on the right foot.
Talking Point 2: Prenups Can Protect Children
Prenups can protect children from past marriages and can also be used to protect any future children you may have. Prenuptial agreements allow you to designate what a child is entitled to in the case of a death or divorce. By agreeing on where assets go beforehand, you can shield your property from laws that would distribute it in a potentially unfair way.
Talking Point 3: Prenups Can Give Peace of Mind
California is a community property state, which means that all assets and debts acquired during the marriage are subject to division upon divorce. This means there is significant uncertainty in how assets and debts will be divided—as it will all be up to the judge. The problem is that this judge won’t know you or your spouse. They won’t know what’s important to you or what you and your spouse would prefer. During divorce proceedings, you can express your desires to the judge, but they are under no obligation to grant your requests.
Having an agreed-upon and comprehensive plan in place ahead of time will eliminate all of this uncertainty and give you peace of mind.
How Can Cyrus Pacific Law Help You?
At Cyrus Pacific Law, we have helped countless engaged couples get on the right track through the prenup process. If you choose us to represent you in your prenup negotiations, we promise to help foster a safe environment for both you and your future spouse to share your thoughts. We will help you protect your interests fairly and equitably.
We offer free consultations to those interested in the prenup process. So come in and speak to us, as we’ll be happy to answer your questions. To schedule a free consultation, you can reach out to our office online or by phone at 213-429-4114.