Wedding planning is a whirlwind of excitement, stress, and joy. Friends, family, and even strangers seem eager to share their opinions on the best venue, the tastiest cakes, and the most romantic honeymoon destinations.
Aside from budgeting for the big day, finances might be the furthest thing from your mind.
Sure, talking about prenuptial agreements might feel like a buzzkill when you’re basking in engagement bliss. But it’s one of the smartest conversations you can have before walking down the aisle.
Why? Because marriage, beyond all the romance, love, and celebrations, is ultimately a legal and financial partnership. And like any strong partnership, it’s worth setting clear expectations from the start.
Why you should include a prenuptial agreement in the wedding planning process
Prenups typically call to mind legal jargon, awkward conversations, and the assumption that a marriage won’t last. But in reality, they are about open, honest dialogue and protecting your interests as an individual and a couple. How do they do that?
Prenups increase clarity and transparency
Creating a prenup allows for uncomfortable money conversations that might otherwise have remained private. When both spouses are on the same page about finances, making informed decisions as a team becomes easier.
These conversations can also help you better understand each other’s financial goals, such as whether you’ll save for a new house, fund a dream vacation, or invest in further education or professional training.
Prenups create financial boundaries
Whether your assets include property, a business, or substantial savings, a prenuptial agreement defines what belongs to whom.
When you outline ownership of assets, you establish clear boundaries around what remains personal and what becomes shared. This clarity helps reduce conflicts and promotes mutual understanding from day one.
For example, your prenup might address how you’ll handle individual versus joint savings accounts or divide ongoing financial responsibilities, such as who pays which bills or how expenses are shared.
Prenups encourage open conversations about debt
Debt doesn’t disappear when you say, “I do.” Instead, it gets more complicated. A prenup lays out who is responsible for past—and future—liabilities and the circumstances surrounding them. Whether it’s student loans, credit cards, medical expenses, or any of the various forms of debt that can be incurred, prenups can help put up guardrails so everyone’s interests are protected.
It’s also an opportunity to discuss some big-picture questions, like whether you’re comfortable taking on new debt together, and if so, under what circumstances.
Prenups protect future earnings
Prenups aren’t just a snapshot of your current finances—they’re about future ones, too. They outline how potential assets, like a big promotion, business profits, or an unexpected inheritance, will be treated during the marriage or in the event of a separation.
Prenups can future-proof your partnership
By laying everything out—assets, debts, spending habits, and savings goals—prenups can reduce the opportunity for financial misunderstandings and encourage trust. Drafting a prenup allows couples to consider how they’ll handle financial decisions during the marriage, both for day-to-day and long-term security.
How an attorney can help you through financial conversations
Talking about money can be awkward and vulnerable, no matter the setting. But avoiding these discussions doesn’t mean issues disappear. It pushes them further into the dark, unresolved, and primed to resurface at the worst possible moment.
This is where a seasoned family law attorney can help.
Beyond executing the paperwork, they can facilitate a structured conversation that covers all the financial bases. From asking the hard questions to identifying potential financial pitfalls, an attorney helps couples navigate topics like:
- How will we handle day-to-day finances in our marriage?
- What will happen to retirement accounts, property, or businesses in the event of separation?
- What happens if one partner stops financially supporting the household?
- Will alimony be provided in the case of divorce?
- Should inheritances or gifts remain separate or become shared property?
Just as importantly, attorneys can help you clearly understand your legal rights and obligations under New Jersey law, ensuring your prenup is thorough and enforceable. They’ll tailor the agreement to your situation while helping you account for unique circumstances.
Safeguard your assets and marriage with a prenup agreement
The strongest relationships don’t avoid tough conversations. They are built on them. Prenups aren’t reserved for couples who are wealthy or high-profile. They are a smart move for anyone who wants to protect their assets, manage debt, and plan for financial rights and responsibilities within their marriage.
While wedding trends come and go, sitting down with an attorney should be one bespoke choice that never goes out of style. It’s an investment in your marriage, and unlike that piece of wedding cake in your freezer, a well-crafted prenup will stand the test of time.
