Global Breaking News - Monday, December 23, 2024

The Power of the Prenup
A New York woman, Elizabeth Petrakis, recently announced that she’d had her prenuptial agreement voided, claiming she was coerced into signing it four days before her wedding. If a legal document like a prenup can be thrown out by the court, is it worth pursuing to begin with? If so, should everyone have one?
* prenup(= prenuptial agreement) = 혼전 합의서/ void = 무효로 하다/ be coerced into ~ = ~하게 강요받다/ throw out = 물리치다, 거부하다, 기각하다

 혼전 합의서와 같은 법률문서가 법원에 의해 기각 될 수 있다면, 처음 부터 혼전 합의서를 추구할 필요가 있나요?
그렇다면 모든 사람들은 혼전 합의서(계약)를 만들어야 하나요?

1. Prenups for Some, Money Talk for All
I highly recommend that couples negotiate the financial terms of their marriage and each partner’s role before saying their vows.
 
2. Do Your Research, and Be Stealthy
If you want to protect your premarital assets, then you should safeguard them within jurisdictions that have formidable asset protection laws.
 
3. Bad for Marital Health
Prenups don’t take into account the nonfinancial things a spouse often contributes, like making the house a home and raising children.
 
4. You Already Have a Prenup
The question is not whether you should have a prenup, but whether you want your state’s default version of one.
 
5. Let’s Broaden This Discussion
Women need to be savvy about their assets and contributions in a marriage. But prenups only protect a certain demographic.
 
6. If You Want a Prenup, You Don’t Want Marriage
There’s an easier way to keep your assets and income separate: it’s called cohabitation.

Sample Essay

Prenups for Some, Money Talk for All

I see just as many women seeking preuptial agreements these days as men. I suggest a prenup for those who have sizeable wealth, own a business or are entering into a second marriage with significant personal assets.

If you meet any of the above criteria, prenups are absolutely worth it. But in general, I highly recommend that couples negotiate the financial terms of their marriage and each partner’s role before saying their vows. Financial issues to discuss should include bill paying, earnings, career goals, short- and long-term financial goals, estate planning in the event of death, divorce or disability; how income taxes are to be paid; how a pension will be shared; who will pay to defend a tax audit; and who will pay for expenses in the case of a divorce.

More than 50 percent of first marriages end in divorce, and over 70 percent of second marriages do. If you have a career, you should protect it. If you give up a career to become a stay-at-home parent, make sure you are protected financially if there is a divorce. For example, a prenup could include a clause that might guarantee levels of support after a certain number of years of marriage, or perhaps a percentage of income may be shared per an agreed-upon formula.