The Importance of a Prenup
Submitted by Lisa Steadman on June 8, 2007 - 4:24 am
If this doesn’t make you think twice about the importance of a prenup, I don’t know what will…
In a landmark decision, a Chicago judge has ordered an energy magnate to pay his ex wife $184 million. That’s half of his estimated fortune. And while he won’t be hurting for money, that’s still a sizable loss. I’m not disputing that the ex-wife doesn’t deserve some of the man’s fortune. After all, they were married in 1975 in the Ukraine and emigrated to this country with very little to their name. He was a self-made man and she obviously helped nurture and support him throughout the last 30 years. But to get half of his fortune? To me, that seems ludicrous.
And it brings me back to why I think prenups are so important for everyone. Whether you’re rich, poor, on the way up, on the way down, whatever. A prenup is merely a safety precaution in case of emergency. Signing one before you get married ensures that everyone is on the same page. It ultimately protects both parties so that in the event of an unhappy ending, things are settled fairly. And no, I don’t believe signing a prenup means you’re unromantic or see the end in sight. Actually, it’s quite the opposite.
When Mr. XY and I talk about our future, we both agree about a prenup. In our case, we both come into the relationship with assets that need to be protected, not just for ourselves but for our extended families. Signing a prenup is our way of saying Not only am I am madly in love with you and want to spend my life with you, but I’m coming into the relationship with a level head that’s to both of our benefit.
What are your thoughts about a prenup? Share them here.
1 Comment»
June 15, 2007 at 5:09 pm
Really sad that we live in a world where contracts come as a stipulation to love. That woman gave 30 years of her life to a man and took care of him in the way we all know women do. She is most certainly entitled to half!
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