When you tie the knot, you don’t want to think about anything going wrong in the future. However, it’s better to be safe than sorry, as you never know if your marriage could take a turn for the worse.
Creating a prenuptial agreement is the perfect way for both individuals to protect themselves in the event of a divorce. This allows you to do things such as:
- Protect yourself from debt that your spouse brings into the marriage
- Protect the inheritance rights of children from another relationship
- Specify ownership of specific assets
While all this sounds good on the surface, discussing a prenuptial agreement is easier said than done. If you want to do this without killing the mood before your wedding day, here are three tips to follow:
- Have a meaningful, two-sided conversation: Issuing demands, such as telling your partner they have to sign a prenuptial agreement, is the biggest mistake you can make. Not only does this push them away, but it could invalidate the agreement even if they do decide to sign it. A meaningful, two-sided conversation is the best way to go. This gives both individuals the opportunity to share their thoughts.
- Talk about your reasons for wanting a prenuptial agreement: For example, you may have fears about what will happen if you divorce, as you watched your parents go through a nasty break-up while you were young. When you discuss your reasons and fears, it’s easier to clear the air and show your partner where you’re coming from.
- Leave enough time: You don’t want to rush the creation of a prenuptial agreement. It’s best to take your time, as this gives you and your partner the ability to think everything through. Attempting to cram this in shortly before your wedding day is likely to increase stress levels and cause an argument.
Although you have no plans to ask for a divorce in the future, you should do whatever you can to protect yourself should this happen. A prenuptial agreement will give both individuals peace of mind during the marriage, while also saving time and money should a divorce move to the forefront.
If the time comes to create a prenuptial agreement, learn more about what you can and can’t include, as well as the best way to protect your legal rights in Maryland.