Important Opinion

[STG]

How important is a prenuptual agreement if you know the other person for a few years, and explain please. :confused:

[alleycat]

Nothing can kill romance faster than the word prenup.

Marriage is not just an emotional and physical union......it's also a financial union. A prenuptial accord is a contract between two people about to wed that spells out how assets will be distributed in the event of divorce or death.
The mention of a prenup shouldn't come as a surprise if you and your sweetheart have been open with each other as the relationship became serious. You really need to speak about this early in your relationship. Perhaps the most important ingredient of a solid prenuptial agreement is honesty. Both parties must FULLY disclose their assets. If it turns out either person has hidden something, a judge can toss out the contract. A valid prenup also is "fair" and will not leave one of the parties destitute. No matter what state you're in, the state will look for equity to make sure one spouse is not being taken advantage of.

An ironclad agreement also must be signed well in advance of the wedding. You can't present your honey with a prenup two days before the big day and say, "Uh, by the way, I need your signature on this." The best time to do so is at least one month before the wedding invitations go out. Then you both have time to back out if you or the other party feels uncomfortable. Remember ample time before the big day.

Here are a few more tips:

• Use only matrimonial lawyers who are familiar with prenups and the laws of the state in which you will be living.
• Know that you cannot waive rights to child support payments.
• Understand that your spouse's will can't supersede the prenup if the will is stingier. But a will can be more generous than a prenup and leave the widow or widower more than what they agreed to before the marriage.
• Finally, and although it seems obvious, make sure the agreement is in writing and the signing is witnessed by a lawyer. It is recommended the contract be signed in triplicate with the groom- and bride-to-be each getting an original copy, and a third being kept with an independent lawyer, CPA or in a safety deposit box.


Here is another thing that could soften the thought of a pre nup would be to add a "sunset clause" which is a set time that the pre nup contract will run out. Lets say 10 years is when the pre nup expires. Now I had a friend place a "fling clause" in her pre nup. What that means is that if he cheats on her she gets even more money when she divorces him. Why did she do that......well he cheated in a previous relationship (marriage) and she was not taking any chances. He was willing to sign it. Also there can be clause if someone has to take time off to raise children. Why because that person will have missed out on many years of potenial earning and advancement. So that could place that spouse in a different earning bracket than the other. So if a divorce happens the spouse earning less is in a compromised position.

Communication in a relationship is the KEY to SUCCESS. If the party's cannot communicate then the relationship is doomed. Prenup or no Prenup.

[ryoder]

Jessica Simpson wishes she had one.

[ShotoJuku]

Jessica Simpson wishes she had one.

[COLOR="#000080"]Sir Paul McCartney too!

Pre-Nuptual Agreement = I may love you (today) but I will never trust you (ever)! [/COLOR]

[ryoder]

I'm a big x files fan so I adhere to "Trust no one"
Except your mom! Always trust your mom!

[frankiebleyes]

Prenup, I don't think so. If I had to sign a prenup I wouldn't get married. 42 years of marriage says that if he doesn't love you enough to trust you, you shouldn't spend your life with him (until he gets tired of you). Sorry just my opinion for what it is worth.

[STG]

What if the guy won't sign...?

[ShotoJuku]

What if the guy won't sign...?

[COLOR="#000080"]
Anyone (male or female) who will not sign is very smart indeed!

You're (not you in particular) are not buying into anything such as a house or a car, but entering into a lifelong commitment to one another that no man-made (get out of jail card) can provide. Marriage is Forever![/COLOR]

[STG]

I do not care if he signs or not, it's my parents, specifically my mom, who is pushing. She thinks she can control anything I do, including who I marry. She claims if he doesn't sign, the wedding is off. I told her I'll marry him without her and she says it won't happen...it's been going on for more than a week so I already gave her all this time to rethink everything over and she still doesn't change her mind... I really don't know what to do because it's already ruining my relationship with my fiancÃ...

[alleycat]

Is your Mom doing this to protect family money?
Some people believe that they need to protect the money that has been earned in a family, especially money that is generations old.

What about "sunset clause" or something like that?

Ulimately it is your life and not your parents. You have to make the decision on your own.
It is very hard having this sort of pressure when trying to launch your new life.
Good Luck