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Why should couples sign pre-nuptials, financial agreements or shared life agreements?
Couples often hesitate to establish the principles of their relationship in a contract or to set their financial obligations to each other in writing. In today’s world, we hardly do a single step without documenting it, especially when it comes to finances. Even in the supermarket we insist on receiving a receipt, and none of us would ever dream of starting a company with a partner without agreeing on the conditions of the partnership. And yet - when it comes to personal relationships, we think that writing up an agreement could mean bad luck and mistrust or hurt our spouse’s feelings. But n reality a mutual agreement on children, finances, assets, our shared life and even death is responsible and helps to make our relationship more equal.
Today, partners that want to establish a family together speak to each other on eye level and both contribute their share to the relationship and the household. Couples want to know more about each other’s expectations and to make sure that they have established the relationship for the right reasons. At the same time, we have come to realize that our partner is different from us and has his or her own individual wishes, needs and ideas. In contrast to previous generations, we know that divorce is a possibility and will not accept an unbearable situation “just because we have to”. Therefore, taking precautions in the form of an agreement is a sensible thing to do and does not diminish our love for each other.
Every couple is different and every partnership is based on different principles. Therefore, it is not enough to rely on the law to settle our differences in the event of separation. Litigation usually ends with the better lawyer winning and does not consider our specific preferences.
A couple that wants to outline the principles of their relationship should sign an agreement that specifies their intentions and wishes and reflects their individuality and uniqueness. With the help of such a guiding document, the relationship will not be subject to the default rules set in the law. A couple that has signed such an agreement takes personal responsibility for the boundaries of the mutual relationship.
New Family recommends preparing a couple agreement in an early stage of the relationship. In the beginning of the relationship, when we are eager to reduce the differences that might appear between us, we are more likely to make the agreement as considerate and neutral as possible. In most cases, it is not clear yet which partner will earn and accumulate more in the future. Thus it is easier to establish an agreement that is fair to both sides.
New Family believes that today couple agreements do not serve to protect the richer partner and to save his or her fortune in the case of future divorce. Our contracts are constructive agreements that establish and build relationships. They contain personal and individual meaning and cause the couple to take responsibility for the most important and greatest thing they create together – their family.
To learn more about shared parenthood agreements and New Family’s domestic partners card, read the sections Parents and Children and Domestic Partners Cards and Common Law Marriage.
New Family’s expert lawyers prepare pre-nuptials, couples agreements, financial agreements and other family related contracts for all couples without regard to marital status, nationality, ethnicity, sex or sexual orientation.
Opening Hours:
Sunday to Thursday, 9:00 until 17:00
In our office at Nahmani St. 34, Tel Aviv
Tel. 03 - 5660504
Fax 03 - 5600720
E-mail: newfamily@newfamily.org.il |
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