Should You Have a Prenup? Here's Why It May Be A Good Idea

Prenups get a bad rap. Probably because we usually hear about them when celeb relationships go wrong or make absurd demands. Like the time Tony Romo allegedly included a clause that forced Jessica Simpson to give him $500,000 for every pound she gained over 135lbs. Jessica Biel reportedly negotiated that Justin Timberlake pay her $500,000 if he cheated on her.

While prenups typically make their cameos in the dramatic lives of the rich and famous, there are many practical and useful ways that they can serve everyday couples. Prenups are like health insurance–they’re good to have, even if you don’t plan on getting sick.

So what are the benefits of a prenup? Is it possible that these agreements could actually help couples have a more successful relationship? Here are a few reasons for how they can be beneficial.

Prenups create a space to have a money conversation before you get married.

A recent Bank of America study found that nearly one-in-five millennials don’t know how much their spouse makes. More anecdotally, I’ve talked to SO MANY couples who were far too afraid to have “the money conversation” before they got married. Some later discovered that their spouse was in serious debt or that their partner's credit score prevented them from the goal of owning a home. This type of financial infidelity can cripple a relationship, even if it’s unintentional.

During the process of drawing up a prenup, both partners are asked to list out all their assets and debts, no matter how much or how little they have. After that, there’s a discussion about how they want to treat money generated (or borrowed) during their marriage. While it can be awkward to talk about it, many couples talk about feeling closer as a result of the conversation.

Prenups help you plan for the worst when you are in your best state of mind.

If a marriage has come to an end, one or both partners may have bias, resentment, or straight-up anger toward the other person. When tensions are high, talking about money can cause further stress for both people. Sometimes divorces drag on because couples can’t come to agreement about how to divide their assets. If you have kids in the mix, they can get caught in the crossfire.

Prenups define money protocols in the event of a break up. These protocols were created when you were happy and calm, not negotiated between lawyers and angry conversations. In a nutshell, they reduce the time, energy, and emotion spent on money when most couples just want to move on.

3. Prenups can give you peace of mind.

We all come to the table with baggage--we shop too much, we take too much risk, we have our addictions, or even a tendency to cheat. And while our partners may see the best in us, what happens if some of that baggage spills over? Are we protected in those scenarios? Are our kids?

Prenups can take the “what-ifs” out of these scenarios and give both partners peace of mind. Nicole Kidman famously included a clause that would deny Keith Urban certain assets if he fell off the wagon. Some couples add protections for their kids if a parent were to re-marry. Others might even want to protect against the risk of a business going south.

But, in the end…

Like the Jen vs. Angelina debate, there’s no denying that people have strong feelings about prenups (to be clear, I was Team Jen all the way). Whichever side you’re on, it’s up to you to decide what you prefer as a team.

Regardless of what you pick, you’ll make the right decision together.