How Can I Talk About a Pre-Nup?

Summer is a popular time for couples to get engaged and excited to move ahead with wedding planning. Amidst this time of great excitement should be some serious time to discuss the possibility of developing a pre-nuptial agreement. But why? And how can you talk about this with your significant other and family? 

Do I need a pre-nup?

People hope for the best and plan for the worst all the time. We all execute Wills, Powers of Attorney and Enduring Powers of Attorney, planning for death and incapacity. Why not plan for the over 50% likelihood that we may not have a single partner for our lifetimes? A prenuptial agreement is just another essential legal document regarding something we would rather not acknowledge. Marriage is a legal contract and, although less formal, cohabitation also affords the parties significant legal rights. Like it or not, you are entering into a business relationship when you marry or cohabit. No prudent businessperson would enter into a business transaction where they did not have any advanced knowledge, certainty or control over its terms. A prenuptial or cohabitation agreement allows parties to specify the terms of their partnership. A domestic contract allows parties to explore their expectations and discuss what is important to them up front. They have the opportunity to shape the contract that they are entering into, with or without knowledge of or consent to the terms.

Here are a few suggestions on how to bring up the topic of a pre-nup with your fiancee, significant other, and family:

1. When should I consider a pre-nup? It is important to take the stress and emotional turmoil out of the prenuptial agreement. Bringing up the topic early avoids the shock, emotional pressure and time compression often associated with these documents. This is especially important because these pressures could be used as arguments to have a prenuptial agreement set aside.
2. Develop the Agreement Together: Working out the terms of a prenuptial agreement jointly can ensure that one partner does not fear for their financial security or feel emotionally threatened. An amicable approach allows both parties to participate in the process and buy-in to the concept of a prenuptial or cohabitation agreement. When entering into a domestic contract parties are building an agreement, not winning an argument. Mediation or collaborative law are good forums for constructively developing a prenuptial or cohabitation agreement jointly.
3. Mutual Protection: A prenuptial agreement benefits both parties by providing certainty and circumventing exorbitant legal fees and extreme emotional strain often associated with separation. These contracts are generally not used to lock a spouse out of all financial gains afforded to the other party. It truly is an opportunity to protect both parties, to discuss and understand what each party expects from the relationship.
4. Hire the Right Lawyers: All lawyers are not created equal. Some lawyers are more adversarial than others. Some are more aggressive and litigious than others. Be mindful of a lawyers reputation and the reason you are retaining counsel. Some lawyers are also not particularly experienced at drafting prenuptial agreements. These are difficult agreements to put together and you should be confident that the lawyer you retain has specific prenuptial agreement drafting experience.
5. Allow for Change: Allow the document to be changed in the future by mutual agreement. Prenuptial agreements anticipate events that have not yet occurred. If the relationship does not unfold as anticipated, the agreement may not be appropriate in the actual circumstances that transpire and may need to be revised. Parties may end up having unplanned children, a spouse may become very involved in a business, parties may develop a company together or a spouse may end up staying out of the workforce for an extended period. An agreement should be sensitive to these possibilities but may also need to be revised in the future in the event of unanticipated circumstances.

How to Create a Pre-Nup in Alberta

Our team brings significant experience in developing prenuptial agreements (pre-nups), as part of our extensive family and divorce law practice. If you are interested in learning more about the process of building a pre-nup, connect with us to schedule a consultation.

You can also learn more about prenuptial agreements here.

Disclaimer: The content provided in the blog posts of Jones Divorce & Family Law is general information and should not be considered legal advice. Please contact a lawyer for legal advice tailored to your specific situation. All articles are current as of their original publication date.