Pre-Nuptial Agreements
Author: Joe Devine

Overall, people have been getting married later in life
which means that they are bringing more property or other
assets into a marriage. Unfortunately, 40% of first
marriages fail, 60% of second marriages fail, and 75% of
third marriages fail. This has many people resorting to
pre-nuptial agreements, or pre-nups, to protect their
assets and lives in the event of a divorce.

While it may seem very pessimistic to sign a pre-nup that
details how you'll split things up in the event of a
divorce before even walking down the aisle, it is really
the smart thing to do, particularly if it is a second or
third marriage. Over half of those marriages fail. Also,
you may have more assets as you age and so it is just
smart. No one wants to see their life's investments get
split up in a divorce settlement with someone you've known
for maybe 10 years getting half of them. A pre-nup helps
with that potential loss.

In addition to protecting people in the event of a divorce,
a pre-nup can also settle many common arguments that take
place during a marriage. Such things as "how many children
should we have?" or "with whose family should we spend the
holidays?" are commonly contentious issues. A pre-nup can
help settle those issues before the rings are even
exchanged. There would not even have to be an argument left
to be settled without the assistance of a lawyer. Also, it
provides assurances that should there be disagreement
later, someone can point to the Pre-nup and say "nope! You
agreed to this before we even got married!" That can be a
major bargaining point.

The big benefit of pre-nups is the protection offered in
the event of a divorce. Many states consider everything
that either person brought into the marriage to be the
property of the marriage. As such is the case, not much is
left in the sole possession of the original owner. This can
be a major issue. If one person brings in a house, a car,
and numerous investments while the other person brings in
nothing, it would probably be rather upsetting to know that
the assets you worked so hard acquiring went to someone who
had nothing to do with them being acquired.

With people getting married later in life and more
marriages than ever before ending in divorce, it is
important to protect your assets with a pre-nup before
walking down the aisle. Even if it is pessimistic, it is
smarter to write the pre-nup and then not need it instead
of not writing a pre-nup and then needing.


About the Author:

Joe Devine
http://www.slaterkennon.com