YES! TO THE DRESS, WHAT ABOUT THE PRENUP?

“It’s better to have one and not need it than to need one and not have it.” Author unknown

You are so excited about marrying the love of your dreams. You are madly in love; it is your first marriage or maybe the second, or third, no matter, you are in love. Whatever the case may be, if you are excited to pick the perfect dress, it is time to get real with a prenup.

Why are prenups important when getting married? Marriage is a contract, a business agreement, far beyond love; you are entering a legal agreement.

The bigger picture surrounding a prenup is an honest conversation about finances. Is there any debt? How will you spend, save, and plan? Heading into a marriage, it is part of the reality to understand where things are and where they are going.

This is no time to bury your head in the sand. Be smart, be a partner, be a part of the hard but important conversation. Know which direction your money is going. It doesn’t matter if there is a financial disparity; what matters is what is agreed upon. Know your rights in the state where you are getting married; rights vary from state to state.

Prenups can help couples clarify expectations, protect premarital assets, and plan for financial responsibilities. A prenuptial agreement is a legal contract signed before marriage that defines how assets and debts will be handled if the marriage ends.

Beyond that, it is a conversation about how finances will be handled in the marriage. No one wants to plan for a divorce. That is like buying a coffin when you are young, healthy, and vital. No one thinks it’s time for that. No one wants to consider divorce when you marry the perfect mate, but the fact is that 56 percent of marriages end in divorce.

Stay married, beat the odds, but go in with clarity, understanding, and agreements. A couple decides in advance whether to have children, and money is another important conversation to have.

My third and favorite husband is a financial advisor and has seen it all. He is very smart with money, and I have learned a great deal about financial planning, investments, and trusts that I honestly would not have known about if it were not for him.

Financial planners and lawyers can help you, educate you, and direct you to plan for a bright future.

What is sexy? Being smart, don’t let your wisdom go out the window with a princess wedding. I am sorry, but that is dumb. Put that money towards a home. Is it about the wedding or the marriage? Ahem.

Enter into marriage with the perfect dress and a solid understanding of what your financial life will look like.

My Mantra: “Marry your friend, have fun, trust each other, eye contact, hold hands, eyes wide open.”