1 of 52

No

Write now Article Tools

Instead of preparing for divorce, why not encourage people to prepare to stay happily married? Indeed some ministers already require prenuptial counseling before they will perform a wedding - a trend that should be encouraged. Let's face it, about half of the marriages in this country end in divorce, often to the detriment of children. We should do something about that but an agreement of how to divorce will not help those children. If anything it will make the parents more willing to split the sheets.

Prenuptial counseling, on the other hand, can help prospective spouses prepare for the rigors of married life - and even avoid some problems. This counseling should include, at a minimum:

1. How will the couple handle money? Financial problems are probably the greatest cause of divorce in our society. Before they ever get near the alter, the couple should decide what their financial priorities are, how to avoid financial overextension, how they will handle both windfalls and unexpected financial reverses. The best way to do this is with the help of a qualified, experienced counselor. Essentially this counselor is an experienced guide, one familiar with the unknown path the happy couple plans to travel, and who can warn them of the dangers they will meet.

2 What about children? Will they have children? How many? How will they discipline those children? Will they pay for the children's college education or expect them to be independent enough to pay for all or part of it? After marriage is not the time to discover that the husband believes in very strict discipline while the wife wants to spoil the kids rotten (or vice versa). If one parent is very strict and the other excessively lenient, both children and the marriage relationship will suffer. In fact sometimes, one spouse uses the children as a weapon against the other. In other cases children take advantage of the differing parenting philosophies and cause a rift between parents. Prevent that by deciding ahead of time how you will deal with your children.

3. In-laws. Sorry young people. You effectively marry your spouse's family as well as your beloved. Remember that their family relationship was probably what you want in your own family, it will not disappear at the alter. Your spouse will want some contact with them. They will want contact with your spouse and especially with your children who happen to be their grandchildren. Most in-laws try to get along but some are overbearing, controlling etc. Even the best

• 1
• 2
• next page >>

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!