Before You Say "I DO" - Questions to Ask Your Future Spouse...
1. " What do you hope I will contribute to our marriage?"
There is stress in many marriages at the point where the roles are ambiguous. For example, a husband may expect his wife to be the 'happy homemaker" -- doing all the cooking, cleaning, laundry, child rearing, and such. Likewise, a wife might expect her husband to keep the cars running, mow the lawn, or pay the bills.
Time spent talking about roles within marriage is very important. Throw tradition out the window and focus, instead, upon each other's gifts and talents. you may find that you are the best manager of money. He might handle the laundry like a dream. And you may enjoy doing yard work together.
I will do the following: 1.______ 2. ______ 3. ______ etc.
You will do the following: 1.______ 2. ______ 3. ______ etc.
We will share these responsibilities: __________________
______________________________________________
2. "From a legal perspective, what provisions should I include in a prenuptial agreement?"
A prenuptial agreement is certainly not mandatory for any marriage--in fact, the vast majority of people get married without such agreements. Having talked to many lawyers about these arrangements over the years, I have concluded that most couples can get along perfectly well without them.
Naturally, however, you will want to discuss such issues with your fiance'. And, should the two of you decide to sign an agreement, you will probably need to do so in the presence of a lawyer.
On an emotional level, however you may want to consider how a prenuptial agreement will affect your relationship--for better or for worse. Ask yourself some basic questions:
~Is the agreement a substitute for trust, or does in enhance our trust in each other?
~What provisions are most important to me, and why?
~In what ways will this agreement help our marriage?
~do I want to set a time limitation on this agreement?
If you are considering a prenuptial agreement, ask your lawyer to show you some sample contracts and explain the various components. Talk to a few people who have prenuptial agreements and ascertain it, or how, these contracts have made a difference in their marriages.
Source: Book - Todd Outcalt: Before You Say "I Do"
There is stress in many marriages at the point where the roles are ambiguous. For example, a husband may expect his wife to be the 'happy homemaker" -- doing all the cooking, cleaning, laundry, child rearing, and such. Likewise, a wife might expect her husband to keep the cars running, mow the lawn, or pay the bills.
Time spent talking about roles within marriage is very important. Throw tradition out the window and focus, instead, upon each other's gifts and talents. you may find that you are the best manager of money. He might handle the laundry like a dream. And you may enjoy doing yard work together.
I will do the following: 1.______ 2. ______ 3. ______ etc.
You will do the following: 1.______ 2. ______ 3. ______ etc.
We will share these responsibilities: __________________
______________________________________________
2. "From a legal perspective, what provisions should I include in a prenuptial agreement?"
A prenuptial agreement is certainly not mandatory for any marriage--in fact, the vast majority of people get married without such agreements. Having talked to many lawyers about these arrangements over the years, I have concluded that most couples can get along perfectly well without them.
Naturally, however, you will want to discuss such issues with your fiance'. And, should the two of you decide to sign an agreement, you will probably need to do so in the presence of a lawyer.
On an emotional level, however you may want to consider how a prenuptial agreement will affect your relationship--for better or for worse. Ask yourself some basic questions:
~Is the agreement a substitute for trust, or does in enhance our trust in each other?
~What provisions are most important to me, and why?
~In what ways will this agreement help our marriage?
~do I want to set a time limitation on this agreement?
If you are considering a prenuptial agreement, ask your lawyer to show you some sample contracts and explain the various components. Talk to a few people who have prenuptial agreements and ascertain it, or how, these contracts have made a difference in their marriages.
Source: Book - Todd Outcalt: Before You Say "I Do"
