Planning to marry is an exciting time for many Alabama adults. Between planning the wedding and honeymoon, as well as getting ready for a life together, many couples overlook the importance of planning for things that may happen in the future, such as a divorce. This is not a romantic thought or comfortable conversation to have, and as a result, couples often fail to plan for contingencies through prenuptial agreements.
You may not think you will need a prenup, or you may assume that having one is planning for the marriage to fail. This is not the case. It is simply a way to protect your interests in the future in case of a contingency. Before you walk down the aisle, you may want to think about why this type of contract could be beneficial in your situation and how you can reframe the conversation about it.
Don’t call it a prenup
For many, the term “prenuptial agreement” has a negative connotation. People often think about these contracts as something only necessary for the rich and famous. In reality, these contracts can be beneficial for couples of all income levels. If you are thinking about how to have this conversation with your soon-to-be spouse, the following may be helpful to you:
- Think of it as an insurance policy that you need in case of an unexpected situation.
- Talk about your prenup as a type of safety feature designed for your benefit.
- Consider the prenup as a reasonable extension of entering a marriage, which is like a contract.
It will also help both parties to understand the purpose of a prenup. This contract outlines things, such as how you want to divide marital property or how spousal support will work in case of a divorce. It can provide financial protection and peace of mind for both of you, even if you are not wealthy or do not own valuable assets.
Consider the future
When you marry, your entire future is ahead of you. While you are certainly not planning to divorce before you even walk down the aisle, it is beneficial to have certain legal and financial protections in place. Like all legally binding contracts, it is crucial to ensure the terms are reasonable and enforceable in case of a dispute or scrutiny in the future.
