There’s been a lot of talk lately about the relationship contract, the marital contract- and of course, the prenuptial contract. Apparently more folks are opting for them and find them to be a useful tool for fostering open and candid communication before taking that large step towards greater commitment.
Getting those “must-have” and “can’t live with” terms on paper helps to not only let each partner know where the other stands- it also paves the way towards a smoother dissolution of the union, should one or both decide they want out.
Given the 49& divorce rate and the horror stories everyone has heard about “bad divorces,” it’s no wonder that people are opting for some reassurance and insurance- just in case. Take the recent break-up of Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise. She filed for divorce and less than 2 weeks later they had agreed on all the terms. Wow, that is definitely a record.
Word on the street is that Katie planned her moves very carefully and had everything in order before she told Tom it was over. Listen up, ladies- do all your homework first, get a strategy planned and hire a good lawyer- all before you tell your partner. This way, any severe acting out is minimized- and you will have already addressed any needs the lawyer will bring up beforehand- giving you the strategic edge. Also good advice for unhappy husbands who fear the potential fall out from an angry, controlling, vindictive or disturbed partner.
However, they can still make it very hard- but not as hard if you have a marital or relationship agreement in place. If you both agreed to certain conditions in the event of your relationship’s demise- you have a contract to fall back on. Getting someone’s agreement during the good times is a lot easier than when they don’t want the relationship to end and plan to make it as difficult and expensive as possible for you to gain your freedom.
Less than 2 weeks. At that rate, we will be spending a great deal more time planning our weddings than ending our unions. I can’t help but wonder where all that could lead.
