By: Brian J. Forgue, Esquire
On Tuesday this week, global music superstar Taylor Swift was engaged to NFL tight-end Travis Kelce.
Swift, whose estimated net worth exceeds $1 billion thanks to her record-breaking Eras Tour and extensive music catalog, represents a prime example of why prenuptial agreements exist. When one partner brings significantly more wealth into a marriage, a prenuptial agreement provides crucial protection and clarity for both parties.
A prenuptial agreement generally controls two scenarios – divorce and death. In divorce, a prenuptial agreement clarifies which asset(s) each party keeps and how the spouses will divide things they acquire during the marriage. In death, a prenuptial agreement works closely with a party’s will and estate plan to direct where their assets will go.
Beyond asset protection, prenuptial agreements offer emotional benefits by addressing financial expectations upfront. Prenuptial agreements eliminate uncertainty about issues like inheritance rights, business ownership, and spousal support, allowing couples to focus on their relationship rather than potential legal complications of the future.
Most of us are not superstar musicians or professional athletes, but the benefits of a prenuptial agreement remain the same. Ultimately, prenuptial agreements are not about planning for a marriage to fail; they allow parties to enter marriage with complete transparency and mutual protection. For couples like Swift and Kelce, where one partner’s global brand generates exponentially more wealth, these agreements ensure that their marriage rests on financial certainty. The same goes for the rest of us.
Brian J. Forgue, Esquire is a Partner in MacElree Harvey’s Family Law Practice Group. If you need Family Law services, including preparation of a prenuptial agreement, reach out to Brian at [email protected] and 610-840-0221.
