If you are planning to spend the rest of your life with your partner, there may be nothing you can’t talk about with them. However, some conversations can still be uncomfortable.
One such conversation can be about drafting a prenuptial agreement. If you are getting married and want to discuss this with your partner, consider the following tips to make this exchange a little easier.
Keep it comfortable
Bringing up a marriage contract during a stressful time can make for a short, heated discussion. Instead, introduce the topic when you are in a quiet, comfortable place, like your home on an otherwise uneventful night.
And make sure it is a discussion rather than a lecture. Anticipate questions and acknowledge that your partner will likely have their own thoughts and concerns.
Don’t let misconceptions take hold
One common misconception people have about these agreements is that people want them because they expect to divorce their partner. Or they see the contracts as a punishment.
Correcting these assumptions from the beginning can improve the quality of the discussion moving forward. Reassure your partner that you love and trust them and that you intend to spend the rest of your life with them, but that a prenup can be a valuable safety net.
You might also explain your reasons for wanting a marriage contract, whether it is to facilitate full financial disclosure or you have a specific interest to protect, like a family business. This can provide meaningful context that helps your partner understand where you are coming from.
Balance emotions with practical information
Indeed, being open, honest and loving is essential in this conversation, but it is also crucial to discuss the practicalities of an agreement.
Prenups are legal documents. There are formal requirements that parties must enter into them voluntarily. Having the time to review the agreement with a legal representative is also crucial.
In other words, don’t let emotions cloud the reality of legal facts and figures.
However unlikely it may be that a marriage will end in divorce, discussing a prenuptial agreement with your partner can allow you to enter a marriage with clarity and confidence. These suggestions can help you navigate this conversation peacefully and effectively.
