When people enter a marriage with differing levels of assets, it's not uncommon to consider signing a prenuptial agreement addressing how their assets will be handled if their marriage fails. That’s why Hailey, a single mom with a five-year-old, called into The Ramsey Show from California. Must Read The 37-year-old has a net worth of $50,000. Meanwhile, her boyfriend of three years has a $2-million trust fund. Now they’re talking about marriage. (1) While his net worth is multiple times her own, her em ...

Group 1 - Prenuptial agreements (prenups) are contracts signed before marriage that outline rules for property, debts, and spousal support during marriage and at divorce or death [2][5] - The enforceability of a prenup depends on factors such as voluntariness, fair disclosure, and compliance with public policy, particularly regarding children's welfare [2][5] - Courts may not honor prenups if one party lacked legal counsel, had limited English proficiency, or was presented with the agreement too close to the wedding [1][2] Group 2 - During marriage, income made by either partner is often considered community property, leading to a typical 50/50 split of assets upon divorce in many states [2] - Divorce can significantly reduce household wealth, as maintaining two separate homes incurs higher costs and resources [7] - Individuals who divorced in the previous 12 months earned on average 12% less than their married counterparts, and women over 50 who divorced experienced a 45% decline in their standard of living [8] Group 3 - Financial control is a common form of abuse, with many survivors feeling trapped due to economic dependency [3][4] - Legal assistance is crucial for individuals facing financial abuse, as attorneys can help navigate the complexities of prenups and asset division [11][15] - It is recommended to take proactive steps to protect finances, such as opening separate bank accounts and securing important documents [12][14]