Marriages, like many institutions, have changed significantly through the centuries. With each shift in emphasis and privilege, it has become more complex. Marriages today can be difficult to navigate and keep alive, but divorces have likewise become complex as rights and privileges have expanded and transformed to meet shifting societal norms.
These days, many marriages may begin as emotional and personal ventures, but they can quickly become like complex business relationships, especially when significant assets are involved. Similarly, when a divorce becomes the final destination for that relationship, those who have not planned for this possibility may find that some of the assets they hold most dear are suddenly up for division.
If you are concerned about protecting your assets, especially those which have been inherited, in the event of a divorce, you should consider utilizing a prenuptial agreement. Fortunately for those entering into marriage in this day and age, the negative stigma that has hung around prenup’s has largely dissipated. Ultimately, a prenup can be a very practical act of love toward a future spouse.
If you are put off by this idea, try thinking of it this way — if someone you loved had a very cherished belonging, wouldn’t it be a great gift of sacrificial love to tell them in writing that they are more important to you than the opportunity to own that property? When considered in this light, prenups can absolutely be a loving gesture, not only a mercenary one.
There are several other ways to protect your cherished property, and the specifics vary from state to state. If you are ready to create ideal protections for you and your partner, the assistance of an experienced attorney can help you craft the perfect document that speaks to your estate as well as your relationship.
Source: Rubinstein Holz & King PA, “High Asset Divorce,” accessed Nov. 16, 2016