How to talk about a prenuptial agreement

Regardless of whether a divorce takes an emotional toll on an individual, the truth of the matter is that it can lead to financial instability. This is especially true when one spouse was the primary wage-earner, or if that spouse’s income is much larger than the other’s. On account of this, a divorce can leave a lower or non-earning spouse facing a standard of living that is much less than that to which he or she has become accustomed. This is why many Louisianans choose to seek alimony, also known as spousal support, and aggressively fight for a fair share of marital property.

One way to avoid this uncertainty, though, is to enter into a prenuptial agreement. These agreements can spell out how certain legal issues will be resolved in the event of divorce. As helpful as these agreements can be, though, many find it difficult to even broach the topic with their soon-to-be-spouses.

So, how does one go about bringing up the subject? Some individuals suggest couching it in terms of a general discussion about the couple’s financial future. It may also be beneficial to look at each individual’s goals and financial fears. Then, once those goals are identified, the couple can engage in a discussion about how to best protect those goals. It is important, though, to not make the prenuptial agreement part of an ultimatum. Instead, it should be viewed as a sort of marriage counseling before saying the vows. After all, a prenuptial agreement should help alleviate any financial fears that a couple may face should the relationship sour.

The exact terms of a prenuptial agreement are vitally important, which is why it may be wise to work with a legal professional when crafting an agreement. Those who want to learn more about prenuptial agreements and how they may be beneficial to them can consider discussing the matter with a qualified family law attorney.