Dwyane Wade's Fiancee Gabrielle Union Wants a Prenup
Well, that didn't take long -- Gabrielle Union is already talking about prenups a few weeks into her engagement to Dwyane Wade.
Both the Miami Heat player and Union were previously married to other people, but for Union, the difference this time around is that there might be prenuptial agreement, The Huffington Post reports.
So is Union going to score points with Wade on this prenup?
Why Get A Prenup?
Celebrity prenups are a dime a dozen. For Union, who says she's never seen Wade "balance a checkbook," she wants to protect her own "stuff," according to The Huffington Post.
The "stuff" Union is referring to is likely personal assets. Depending on which state the couple chooses to get married in, they may be subject to community property laws. In community property states, property which is acquired during marriage will be split 50/50 in divorce proceedings. While that might seem fair in the abstract, if one spouse accumulated a ton of debt from a risky investment during the marriage, the other spouse may assume half of that debt in the divorce.
So Union could have the right idea when it comes to getting a prenup together. As much as some couples don't care to admit it, money matters in a relationship. So having a family law attorney draft a prenup would help Wade and Union clarify each person's financial responsibilities and rights during their marriage.
What Should Go In a Prenup?
While a prenup can be good for Wade and Union, the couple won't be able to include everything in the prenup.
Since prenups are designed to address mostly financial issues, the agreements can include:
- What will be considered separate and marital property,
- Limiting one spouse's debt liability if an investment goes south,
- Instructions for how to distribute property upon divorce, and
- Details on how to manage joint bank accounts or household bills and expenses.
Here's what can't be included:
- Child custody and support issues.
- Waiving your right to alimony.
- Making rules about relationships with relatives or which spouse has to do the chores.
Although prenups may appear unromantic, big earners like Wade and Union may benefit for the agreement if it protects their hard earned cash.
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Related Resources:
- Why Gabrielle Union Is Making Dwyane Wade Sign a Prenup (ABC News)
- The FindLaw Guide to Prenuptial Agreements (FindLaw - Free Download)
- How to Determine if a Prenuptial Agreement is Right for You (FindLaw)
- Danica Patrick's Divorce Races Toward Settlement (FindLaw's Tarnished Twenty)