Cupid’s Arrow

Who needs Cupid? The holiday season has overtaken February as the most popular time of year to pop the question. So, it should come as no surprise that December ushered in many new Facebook status updates for newly engaged Ocotillians. Cheers! But, I wouldn’t be “Legally Speaking” if I didn’t hit you with my own arrow: Prenup. Why? If you genuinely love your partner, a Chandler premarital agreement ensures the opportunity to define a clear and peaceful outcome if your relationship doesn’t last longer than your mother’s bunco group. Like vows of honesty and fidelity exchanged upon marriage, a premarital agreement is a mutual promise of future kindness via a defined course of action agreed upon when you’re still in love with each other.

Kanye’s narrow, materialistic portrayal of the prenup perpetuates stereotypes that discourage prenup – an injustice considering its ability to eliminate hostility and attorney’s fees. Prenups don’t just guard against “gold diggers.” They allow for great creativity and flexibility in addressing spending and savings during the marriage as well as a future allocation of assets and debts should your marriage fail. It can define whether income, business, retirement accounts, financial accounts, personal property, or even pets should be kept separate or considered as joint assets. It can address move- out dates and selling or retaining your home. It can also define or eliminate future Chandler spousal maintenance and protect against your partner’s debts or financial obligations to former spouses. An attorney can guide you through a plethora of provisions and options that you can discuss with your fiancée or fiancé. Like December, I beat Cupid to the punch line. So, if you’re thinking of popping the question, do yourself a favor and consider how a premarital arrangement can work to your benefit.