Joint Accounts
Is It Worth Asking for a Prenup If I’m Not Rich?
Think of this as practice for all the tough conversations that marriage entails
Dear Joint Accounts,
I recently got engaged, and while I’m not super rich, I have enough of a nest egg that I want to protect it. A few of my family members have encouraged me to get a prenup or at least talk to my fiance about it. There’s a good chance I’ll receive a small inheritance, too, so I think my family wants to make sure that money is safe. I’m not sure how the inheritance will play out with our joint finances when my fiance and I get married.
I don’t think my fiance will take it well if I ask for a prenup, either. My biggest fear is that she’ll be so offended she won’t want to get married at all. How much money do I need to have to start thinking about a prenup? Does it make sense if my net worth isn’t huge? And how do I bring this up to my fiance without her getting upset?
— Pondering a Prenup
First, let’s get some misconceptions out of the way. The word “prenup” tends to send people into a frenzy, and the more you can separate myth from fact, the better the conversation will go. Much of what people know about prenups comes from celebrity culture — sensational…
