A prenup may be a bit of a touchy subject, but you have to remember that marriage, in the eyes of the law, isn’t romantic. It’s a contract. A prenup is just part of that contract, and it works to protect you should the contract ever be terminated. You may want a prenup if:
1. You’re going to quit your job. Maybe you’ve been working for a decade, but your new spouse will now support you while you raise the kids. The prenup can put financial regulations in place so you know you and the kids will be supported after a divorce.
2. You’re a business owner. The last thing you want is for your divorce to force you to sell your company.
3. You’re going to get a nice inheritance. When assets are co-mingled, you can sometimes lose money that was given directly to you. If you’re getting a nice inheritance — think six figures or more — you may want to just protect it up front.
4. You have kids already. You want to think about the inheritance you’re leaving to them, as well. Blended families may need more guidelines for who gets what.
5. You and your spouse don’t see eye-to-eye on finances. Maybe your spouse loves to spend and take out lines of credit, while you love saving and planning for the future. These things didn’t keep you from falling in love, but you want to make sure your spouse’s habits don’t destroy your own savings. Your prenup could stipulate that you won’t take his or her debt after a divorce.
A prenup is legally binding and has to be written, signed, and filed properly. Make sure you know what steps to take to protect yourself.
Source: Cheat Sheet, “Marriage: 5 Signs You Need a Prenuptial Agreement,” Megan Elliott, accessed Dec. 02, 2016