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Want a stronger marriage? Get a prenuptial agreement

On Behalf of | Jan 25, 2019 | Prenuptial Agreements

Getting engaged and planning a wedding is an exciting period of life for Georgia couples. However, amid picking the perfect venue and sending out invitations, you might be overlooking something very important — a prenuptial agreement. While some may vilify these documents as being unromantic, they can actually help couples strengthen their relationships.

Both pre- and postnuptial agreements give you the opportunity to openly discuss otherwise sensitive matters with your significant other. This means that you could have a leg up when it comes to dealing with other difficult marital matters.

Why a prenup?

You may feel head-over-heels in love and do not see the need for a prenuptial agreement, but you are not getting together just for the wedding day — you are in it for the long haul. This means that, at some point, you will probably end up dealing with issues concerning communication and money. In fact, these are two of the most commonly cited reasons for divorce. So why not address these things before they become an issue?

When you create a prenuptial agreement that addresses separate and marital property, you will need to have open conversations about everything from your bank account to your debt levels. You can even shield one another from your debts, protect your own separate property and outline financial obligations from both parties. Matters can generally proceed much more smoothly when everyone understands what is going on and what to expect.

Why a postnup?

You are not out of luck if you did not sign a prenup. A postnuptial agreement can generally address most of the same things as a prenup, with the main difference being that you sign it after you have already tied the knot. Some couples even use postnups when they did not have time to finalize their prenup.

Like a prenup, a postmarital agreement can give you and your spouse the space to discuss sensitive topics. You may already be dealing with issues over money and communication, so a postnuptial agreement can do more than just help you open up a dialogue. These actions can improve struggling marriages and, in the case that this is not possible, establish important protections should these couples go on to divorce.

Protections are important, but so is communication

The intention of pre- and postnuptial agreements is to protect people during divorce. While this is an essential function that you should not overlook, you also need to consider the other benefits. Simply opening up a dialogue about tough issues like financial obligations, property ownership, blended families and more can actually strengthen marriages.

Still, Georgia family law is complicated, and crafting a complete and enforceable prenuptial agreement might not be as straightforward as it seems. For this reason, working with an experienced attorney throughout the process can ensure that you receive the protections you need.

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