Anne Malec Featured in The New York Times

At Symmetry Counseling, we understand how difficult it can be for engaged couples to consider prenuptial agreements. No one wants to think about divorce before you even get married; it might even feel like you are “jinxing” it if you do. As difficult as it can be, it is worth the effort to protect you and your family.

This is one of many topics we can cover in premarital counseling. While many couples struggle to bring it up, there has been a recent cultural shift with the millennial generation. Perhaps because many people in this generation were raised by divorced parents, maybe because more and more women are making their own money, or potentially because people are getting married older, millennials are more comfortable with the concept of prenuptial agreements.

This is the subject of the New York Times article, “The Rise of the Millennial Prenup,” in which our founder Dr. Anne Brennan Malec was recently quoted.  In the article, Dr. Malec discusses the importance of not putting off the conversation about prenups. While money can be emotionally fraught for couples, she explains that it is important to recognize this and allow time for multiple discussions in case the first becomes overheated. If your partner is unhappy with the idea of a prenuptial agreement, Dr. Malec suggests comparing it to an insurance policy against the financial and emotional toll of a difficult divorce. She explains how the start of the marriage is an ideal time to hash out these details as there is as much love as ever between the partners. This is easier to work out in a fair way now than down the road when it might be more challenging due to hurt feelings.

Be sure to check out the rest of this fascinating article for more information on this topic, and contact Symmetry Counseling in Chicago if you believe you and your partner could benefit from financial therapy or premarital counseling.