As you plan for your wedding in New Jersey, you should also think about crafting and signing a prenuptial agreement. A prenup is a contract that you and your spouse enter into before the marriage to make decisions about what happens in the event of a divorce. There are limitations involved in crafting such an agreement; it cannot address issues related to child support or parental responsibility, for example. Most commonly, a prenuptial agreement includes provisions for the division of assets and spousal support in the event of a divorce.
According to Forbes, prenups have a poor reputation, and people seem to think of a prenuptial agreement as a strike against the marriage before it even begins, a vote of no-confidence that the couple can remain together. This is a rather outdated way of thinking. Instead, think of it this way: you never intend to have a car accident or a disaster that destroys your home, nor do you expect to die a premature death, but you still purchase insurance policies to protect you and your loved ones if events such as these should occur because you know that they are possible. You should think of a prenuptial agreement in the same way, as an insurance policy to protect you if your marriage should eventually end in divorce despite the efforts and intentions of you and your future spouse.
Though it may seem counterintuitive, a prenuptial agreement may actually set you and your future spouse upon a firmer footing and strengthen your marriage further down the line. It allows both of you to know exactly where you stand, which can help to develop trust and peace of mind. Two of the most contentious issues in a marriage that can lead to divorce are communication issues and money. Crafting a prenuptial agreement is a way of fostering healthy communication now, which may help you to avoid divorce in the future.
The information in this article is not intended as legal advice but provided for educational purposes only.
