Five Conversations to Have Before You Get Married

 Posted on June 22, 2022 in Family Law

The vast majority of people in Michigan will eventually get married, and, consequently, a significant number of these people will also get divorced. Because couples are now older before their first marriage, many are getting savvier about ways to protect themselves in the event of a divorce. A prenuptial agreement is one of the best ways to do this - but before a prenup can be created and signed, a couple needs to know that they share priorities. Here are five important conversations to have before you create a prenup and get married in Michigan. 

Kids

Whether or not you want kids may not be foremost on your mind while you are wedding planning, but wanting children will change the way you plan for the future. How you manage your finances, the decisions you make about your career, and the places you choose to live are all influenced by this major decision. 

Finances

Couples often get divorced over their financial differences, which tend to be consistent throughout the course of a marriage. It is important to talk about your underlying values around money, such as whether you prefer to save or spend extra cash. This can influence your career discussions, too - whether you prioritize earning a higher income or having more free time can cause conflict between you and your spouse. 

Religion

Couples from very different religious or social backgrounds may overlook important differences during the honeymoon phase, but your cultural upbringing can have a major impact on how you make decisions throughout life. Partners of different religions stay happily married all the time, but you need to be honest with yourself and your fiancé about how important your religion is to you. 

Conflict Management

Many relationship experts suggest all couples visit a marital therapist before getting married. Conflict is inevitable in a relationship, and it has the potential to break a couple apart or bring them closer together. Conflict management behaviors can be learned and improved, and thinking proactively about how to handle different types of conflict now can help you in the future. 

Picture-Perfect Person

As the initial honeymoon phase begins to wear off, your partner’s flaws will become more apparent. You should be able to discuss these flaws openly and uncritically, with a generous attitude that keeps in mind the fact that you have flaws of your own that probably drive your partner crazy. Certain flaws, like grinding your teeth, may be more annoying than harmful. Other flaws, such as refusing to seek medical care in emergencies, may not - and it is important to understand whether your partner is open to changing their ways about non-negotiables before you get married. 

Schedule a Free Consultation with a Novi, MI Prenuptial Agreement Lawyer

Careful planning before a wedding can not only protect both spouses in the event of a divorce but can actually make a divorce less likely to happen. Protect your future by working with the experienced Oakland County prenuptial agreement lawyers with Elkouri Heath, PLC. We offer a relaxed, friendly environment so you can feel comfortable asking questions and ensuring your preferences are met in your prenup. Call us today at 248-344-9700 to schedule a free consultation. 

Source: 

http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(zddl1vemgjouwrnobxz231km))/mileg.aspx?page=getObject&objectName=mcl-557-28