14 of 51

No

Write now Article Tools

Although I can see the sense in a prenuptial agreement, especially for couples who are very wealthy or celebrities, it does seem a little defeatist. To my mind a prenuptial agreement means that, whilst you are still in the passionate throws of a blossoming love, you already feel that this love may die and divorce could be on the horizon.

When a couple first start their married life should they even be thinking about divorce? I think not. Really the couple should be concentrating on how to make their marriage work. All marriages have their difficulties and suffer from life's ups and downs but you have to work at it. Let's face it most things worth having in this life need some effort on your part and marriage is one such thing.

I know that nowadays there are far more different pressures on couples and more freedom which can actually be destructive to some marriages. However if you have gone into your marriage in the right spirit none of these should sway you easily. A good marriage is based on trust and in many ways a prenuptial smacks at a lack of trust.

However for those people who have money, property, children and status, divorce can be crippling in more ways than one. A 'bad' divorce can leave one person financially ruined, homeless and almost with a loss of identity whilst their ex partner flourishes. I do maintain though that if you believe that the person you are marrying is capable of this you are marrying the wrong person.

I know that times have changed but having said that why get married if you are having doubts. Living together does not carry the same stigmas as years ago and a couple could live together for a few years or forever if they want to. I also know that we folks are strange. I have known couples who have courted for more than ten years before marriage only to get divorced quite quickly. Similarly I knew a couple that lived together for twelve years, had three children and finally married only to divorce within two years. Sheer madness but that is easy to say when you are not living their life. I guess no one can explain what goes wrong. Perhaps with the feeling of committmen,t that the marriage certificate brings, one or both them go off the rails.

Still despite the slight mixed feelings I have on this subject overall I feel that prenuptial agreements are not appropriate and as such should not be compulsory. If you feel vulnerable and still want to marry put toegther a mutaually agreed prenuptial agreement.

Finally I just thought I would mention that on 23rd December 2008 I will have been married 36 years to the same guy. It has not all been a bed of roses but I would not change a thing. In some ways a prenuptial agreement would have probably made it easier to divorce when the going got tough. Instead we have grown and come a long way over the years. Really that is what marriage is all about. Not running at the first hurdle.

Learn more about this author, Ethel Smith.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about Should it be compulsory for couples to sign a prenuptial agreement before marriage??
We want to hear your view. Write now!