There's no better time than summer for the perfect wedding, and so, no better time than now to alert New Jerseyans headed to the altar, about the need for a prenuptial agreement.
With all the fawning over the exact shade of ivory for the gown and making honeymoon plans, the idea of dividing assets is probably furthest from your mind. However, even as you're viewing the world through rose-tinted glasses and making promises to stay together till the end of time, it's important to take a reality check - approximately 50% of all American marriages end in divorce. That means your chances of staying together for the rest of your life aren't as solid as you or your soon-to-be better half, believe.
It's difficult to begin a conversation about prenuptial agreements, but there are certain situations in which a New Jersey family lawyer would absolutely insist that you get a prenup.
- If one partner in the marriage is much older than the other
- If one partner is much wealthier than the other - money might not matter much in the initial days of a marriage, but when things go south, the wealthier partner might find himself the object of the other’s jealousy and anger.
- If you own substantial assets, like a house
- If you already have children from a previous relationship
- If you own a business
- If both of you are partners in a business
- If one spouse is still not financially settled. For instance, if one of you is still studying in college, he or she will have student loans and debt that will last for years. When things go wrong, the other partner could be left holding part of the debt.
- If it is your second marriage
- if you're expecting a major boost in your career or business over the next few years
- if you have inherited family property, antiques, heirlooms, or jewelry.
A prenup these days should be as much a part of your wedding plans as the catering and the cake. If your situation falls in any of the above categories, you should not even be considering tying the knot without a prenup.
