5 Reasons to Consider Asking for a Prenuptial Agreement

5 Reasons You Should Consider Asking for a Prenuptial Agreement

When most of us hear the word “prenup,” we instantly picture some serious, suit-wearing groom trying to tell his starry-eyed fiancé to get her head out of the clouds. But let’s be real, you – that woman probably isn’t you. She sounds more like a character in a bad rom-com than a modern reality.

There are so many empowering reasons for women to initiate the “prenup conversation.” It is a super important chat to have because it addresses a critical, though totally under-appreciated, side of marriage. While talking about legal contracts is definitely less sexy than cake tasting, in the long-term, it is just as significant.

You need to protect yourself, your relationship, and your hard-earned assets, you. It’s time to talk about a prenuptial agreement.

We’d love to know – have you ever brought up finances with a partner? Drop a comment below and tell us how it went! It might help another lovely lady build up the courage to ask.

Here are 5 reasons you should consider asking for a prenuptial agreement:

1. You make more than your partner, or expect to.

It’s really not that uncommon anymore. In this day and age, so many lovely ladies are bringing home a bigger paycheck than their partners. The wage gap is gradually closing, and more frequently we see CEOs and tycoons in pantsuits taking over the boardroom.

Maybe you are cut from the same cloth and have established your financial prowess before finding the perfect relationship. However, at some point you meet the person you want to spend the rest of your life with. All of a sudden, your success has become a concern.

You don’t have to be Sheryl Sandberg for this to be true, you. It is also becoming routine to see men who don’t work, or whose wives are the main breadwinners. While this arrangement might not be “traditional,” it might be what works best for you and your spouse.

Still, should your marriage ever head down the wrong road (and we hope it doesnt!), you shouldn’t have to be responsible for supporting someone who can take care of themselves. You got into this relationship for love, but if it comes to an end, should that compromise the hard work you’ve done? A fair partner wouldn’t demand that, and you shouldn’t have to worry about it.

2. You stand to inherit a large sum.

Some of us are lucky enough to come from families of means. If this is you, you, there is a chance that some of those assets will come to you in the future.

By getting married, your partner may be entitled to some of that. Obviously, we hope divorce never happens, but how would it feel to have to sell a cherished childhood home just because an estranged spouse demands a payout?

Even if your family isn’t tremendously wealthy, parents and extended family may leave jewels, properties, cars, etc., that are clearly intended for you and your benefit, and not to be squabbled over in a cold divorce court. A prenuptial agreement can help protect not only your family’s assets but also the intentions of your loved ones should your marriage not work out.

3. Your success is independent of your partners contributions.

You are a self-made woman, and you deserve to reap the rewards of your hustle. You might be head-over-heels for your partner, but if you have earned your robust bank account through your own sweat and tears, your partner shouldn’t want to take that away from you.

Some couples sign a prenup because they prefer to keep their personal and professional lives separate. Others use the agreement as a springboard to plan finances for after the wedding. Either way, just because your partner has your heart and soul, it is important to discuss how finances will – or will not – be shared.

Hey ladies, are you a business owner or a career woman? How do you protect your empire? Share your tips in the comments to inspire others!

4. Your partner has a large amount of debt.

One hard truth of getting married is facing each other’s debt scenario. Your situation might be relatively rosy, but he might have had to put himself through an expensive school or maybe he didn’t make the wisest of decisions when purchasing his Mustang on shaky credit.

You don’t want his bad choices from before you were together to become your responsibility, right? Signing a prenup makes both partners seriously consider their financial situation and how it may affect each other. A prenup can make this process much less painful and encourage honesty between you two.

5. You’re pragmatic and realize circumstances can change.

Marriage is beautiful and love is the greatest feeling in the world, but you weren’t born yesterday, you. Marriages do end sometimes – people change, grow apart, or simply want to move on.

Realizing you can’t predict the future and that even the greatest loves may fade, signing a prenup may save both you and your spouse alot of pain down the road. Hopefully, you are able to ignore that prenup paper until the day you die, but it is better to have it there to ignore than wish for it when you may need it.

With the conversation surrounding marriage caked in language of unending love and transcendent romance, starting a conversation about finances – much less a prenuptial agreement – can be extra difficult. Still, it is important for women to be willing to broach the topic rather than just hope everything will work out. Financial disagreements are one of the leading causes of marital breakdown. Marriage, in some ways, is also a lifelong financial contract, and it’s important to start financial discussions even before your marriage begins.