Managing finances can be complicated for engaged couples. Each person in the relationship can say what they want and what they want their finances to be like. Before taking that step into marriage, they can choose to work together and compromise on money issues. However, what if they have to sort it out after getting married? A Reddit post in the “Am I The A******?” (AITA) forum went viral on Wednesday. The post blew up after a woman said she wanted a postnuptial agreement. She wants this because she found out her husband has a daughter.
A Woman and Her Husband
U/One_Sun_2607 posted the write-up, and it has received 4,600 upvotes on the platform. The woman shared her story. She said, “Recently, my husband’s ex from high school showed up saying they had a child together. Apparently, they had this child 13 years ago, and their daughter now wants to get to know him.”
The original poster (OP) on Reddit continued, “They were already broken up when she found out she was pregnant. My husband’s ex at that time said she wanted to go to medical school. So she kept the pregnancy, birthed the child, and her parents offered to take care of the baby. However, her parents banned her from telling my husband.”
The Original Poster’s Concerns
“Now the ex is coming out now because their daughter wants to know her father,” the woman says. The revelation shocked both the original poster (OP) and her husband.
The woman said she had nothing against her husband and his daughter and was supportive of him developing a relationship with his daughter. However, this does not mean she is not worried about some things. She said she had some concerns about finances.
A New Person in the Picture
The woman continued her explanation. She said, “I had more money and property when we got married. Also, presently, I make more money than he does.” “Financial security is very important to me,” she said.
“The idea of something happening to him and losing some of my assets to his child scares me. I’ve always been okay with sharing everything with my husband because that’s what marriage is about. But having a daughter in the picture now is something I didn’t agree to.”
A Firm Decision
Two months later, the original poster (OP) asked her husband for a postnuptial agreement. When she made this move, it made her husband quite upset. He felt the timing was bad and said it seemed like she was getting ready to divorce him.
Her husband was not the only one who thought her request was a bad idea. Another friend also told her she was not doing things right. However, despite what they thought, the OP stood firm. “I believe I have good reasons for wanting a postnup,” she wrote.
Postnuptial Agreement: A Viral Post
The woman’s post has garnered a lot of attention from other people on the platform. Many Reddit users commented on the post, and many of them agreed with the original poster. One user pointed out, “Your husband now has financial and family complications you didn’t know about when you got married. The future of your assets isn’t what you expected.”
Another user added, “This situation changes your life too. A teenager with her own struggles has suddenly become part of your life, and that’s tough for you. The issue came up two months later, not right away. She isn’t your financial responsibility, and you are right; she shouldn’t become one.”
What Is a Postnuptial Agreement?
A postnuptial agreement is a legal document couples create after marriage to outline how assets and responsibilities will be divided if they divorce or separate. This agreement provides couples with a chance to define financial arrangements during marriage and helps to offer clarity and protection should circumstances change unexpectedly.
A postnup is a testament to mutual respect and clear communication within a marriage. It ensures that both partners are aware of their rights and responsibilities. It promotes transparency and foresight that can pave the way for lasting harmony and security.
Postnup: Its Importance, and When You Should Get One
A family law attorney and owner of The Mitten Law Firm, Derek Jacques, was interviewed. Jacques was asked about a postnup, its importance, and when it is advisable for a married couple to get one.
According to Jacques, the woman who made the Reddit post did the right thing in this situation. “She is right to ask for a postnup due to the recent discovery,’ he said.
Postnuptial Agreement in this Scenario
A postnuptial agreement would basically outline how the couple’s assets would be divided if they got divorced,” Jacques said. “A biological child was conceived outside of marriage. The wife had no former knowledge of the child. Therefore, it is reasonable for the wife to request a postnup in this case.
The family law attorney added that a postnuptial agreement is designed specifically for situations like this.
When to Get a Postnuptial Agreement
Jacques explained that a ‘postnup’ agreement is meant for situations similar to those the woman on Reddit posted. He said it is advisable in a marriage when something unexpected affects the couple’s finances.
For example, a ‘postnup’ can be helpful if one partner receives a sudden inheritance. “In this case, the husband has a right to be upset. However, it is also understandable that the wife would request a ‘postnup. It was a wise decision, given the significant change just two months into their marriage.
Postnuptial Agreement: Its Importance
The attorney mentioned that a postnuptial agreement would be helpful, particularly if the couple has children together. He explained that the agreement would help if they decide to get a divorce after having their own children.
He further said that the husband may use the child as an excuse to seek spousal support. The daughter might need some things, and the court might take these needs into account, Jacques said.