A Fair & Loving Approach to Prenups—with Laurie Israel

Divorce Dialogues

You might assume that mediators who specialize in prenups recommend them for everyone. But Laurie Israel is actually against prenuptial agreements for most couples. So, when should you consider creating a prenup? And how do you write one in a fair and loving way that strengthens the new marriage? Laurie is a collaborative lawyer and mediator based in Massachusetts, where she concentrates her practice exclusively on prenuptial and postnuptial agreements. Laurie also writes extensively about the art of mediating prenups, and she is the author of The Generous Prenup: How to Support Your Marriage and Avoid the Pitfalls. On this episode of Divorce Dialogues, Laurie joins Katherine to explain when a prenup is a good idea and when it isn’t, discussing why it’s inappropriate to think of a marriage as a business deal. Laurie shares her thoughts on prenups for inheritances, second marriages, and business owners, describing what to look for in a mediator to negotiate your agreement. Listen in for Laurie’s insight on protecting both parties (not just the moneyed spouse) and learn how the right kind of prenup creates peace, certainty and fairness for all involved. Topics Covered Why Laurie is against prenuptial agreements for most couples When a prenup is a good idea and how it can create peace, certainty and fairness in those cases Why it’s inappropriate to think of a marriage as a business deal Laurie’s advice on what to look for in a mediator to negotiate your prenup Why Laurie suggests a prenup for second marriages and marriages involving children from previous relationships How Laurie thinks about building a prenup or postnup for business owners How fairness in a prenup is influenced by the laws in your particular state When it might be appropriate to draft a postnuptial agreement Laurie’s thoughts on the complexities of money and marriage Laurie’s loving approach to prenups that protect both people in a marriage (not just the moneyed spouse) How to address student loans and inheritances in a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement Providing for the surviving spouse when a marriage ends in death Connect with Laurie Israel Laurie Israel Law and Mediation: https://www.laurieisrael.com/ Connect with Katherine Miller The Center for Understanding Conflict: http://understandinginconflict.org/ Miller Law Group: https://miller-law.com/ Katherine on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kemiller1 The New Yorker’s Guide to Collaborative Divorce by Katherine Miller: https://www.amazon.com/New-Yorkers-Guide-Collaborative-Divorce/dp/0692496246 Email: [e-mail] Call [phone] Resources The Generous Prenup by Laurie Israel: https://www.laurieisrael.com/book/ Ten Things I Hate About Prenuptial Agreements: https://www.laurieisrael.com/ten-things-i-hate-about-prenuptial-agreements/