Few family law documents have as many negative connotations as prenuptial agreements. These have been called ‘romance killers,’ and get-out-of-jail-free cards, but the simple fact is that prenuptial agreements have existed for thousands of years. Historically, the practice of drafting financial agreements before marriage existed in ancient Egypt, and also features prominently in Anglo American history.
There are several misconceptions associated with prenuptial agreements. These are just a few of them:
Only the rich need prenuptial agreements. One of the biggest misconceptions that Seattle family lawyers come across is that prenuptial agreements are only for celebrities, or the fabulously wealthy. That is not true at all. It’s just that the wealthy have more assets that need to be protected in the event of a divorce, and therefore, prenups are almost mandatory for this class. .
A prenuptial agreement indicates lack of trust in a relationship. Many couples avoid raising the topic of a prenup, because they fear that it will give rise to uncomfortable questions about trust. On the contrary, talking frankly and honestly about a future event that you both hope will never happen, actually lays the foundation for a healthy marriage that is based on trust.
A prenuptial agreement kills all romance in a marriage. Again, when two people in love make joint decisions about financial and other matters before their impending marriage, it helps clear the air at the very outset, and actually eliminates any doubts or anxiety about finances. Money is one of the biggest reasons why people file for divorce. If the two of you take time to get financial matters resolved before the wedding, you’re likely off to a good start!
The Seattle prenuptial agreement lawyers at the The Seattle Family Law Group are dedicated to the representation of persons in divorce, child support, child custody, alimony and other family law issues across Seattle.
