Pre-Nuptial Agreement
My new philosophy about going into a marriage. I believe that whether you have $1.00 or a billion or two you should not go into your marriage without discussing and spelling out a few things. In times past there was no need for a discussion on division of household duties, women took care of the home and children, the man brought home the money and he had no problem taking care of his wife's financial needs and most even gave them money that was theirs alone to spend as they wanted. Now with both people working it seems only fair that an equitable distribution of childcare and household duties be in play. A contract spelling out who does what jsut might help tone down the arguments.
Children: Not many people go into marriage without some talk of kids in the future or for some the kids are already there. What happens when we get angry and divorce is we make thechildren suffer because we are unhappy. If you decide in the beginning that no matter what happens to your personal relationship your children will not be used as pawns and on an equitable split of time and resources from both parties the child will suffer less. Decide on a percentage of child support and who pays when. If you are doing the 6month split the time you do not have the kid in residence is the time the other parent should be keeping their money in their pockets and you should contribute to their households. For instance instead of a dollar amount settle on a percentage of income that is to be paid in childsupport by both parties. It would not be fair to settle on $600.00 a month when you don't even make that much. It is more about showing a willingness to help out than getting over on somebody after all these children /child belong to both of you, their best interest should be a priority. If you settle this in the beginning when you are hurt and angry in the end you will not be able to strike out in a vindictive manner.
Finances: Yours-Mine-Ours should be the order of the day. If you have one household account and two seperate accounts things will work out much better. A portion of each income goes into the household fund for bills, major household purchases and such and then you have your personal money in yoru bank account. If he/she wants to give you a portion of their income for personal reason then that is great but do not ever get that confused with household expenses. Also this contract should also discuss the division of marital asssests. At this stage you include what you already own seperately and leave room to revisit that portion of the contract at intervals in your marriage.
Debt: Discuss debt in detail, who owes how much and how you plan to pay it is one of the things many new couples fail to consider. Are you aware that once you marry you assume a portion of your spouses debt. When the bible said do not be unequally yoked I believe it included the debt load as well as the spiritual load.
Parenting: Discuss whether you want children, when you want them and how you want to raise them in the beginning. This is where you nip problems in the bud so that once you are married you have a blueprint to follow.
Well that is my thought about marriage, it is exactly what I would do if I were contemplating marriage today. What are your thoughts on the subject?
