Warning: This article contains spoilers for Season 8 of the Netflix series “Love Is Blind.”
I’ve spent most of my career advocating for prenuptial agreements, so you can imagine how delighted I am to see them portrayed positively in popular media.
When a prenup became the focal point of Virginia and Devin’s relationship arc in the recent season of Love Is Blind, I watched with satisfaction as Devin slowly came around to the idea.
Because Virginia knew what a prenup was worth for both of them, and she approached it with all the right intentions.
This illustrates two things to me:
- The stigma behind prenups is decreasing
- Prenups are on their way to becoming the norm for marriage
Let’s explore how prenups work for modern marriages and why they should be the norm.
BEFORE getting married, what conversations about MONEY should you have with your partner?
Use this guide to discuss budgets, assets, debts, goals, joints bank accounts and more.
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1. People Are Marrying Later In Life
A recent study reveals a trend in US marriages: people are getting married later than ever.
As of 2023, the average age at first marriage was 30.2 for men and 28.4 for women. The age at second marriage increases further, with men entering their second marriage at an average of 46 and women at 43.
Why does this matter?
The longer you wait to marry, the more time you have to accumulate individual wealth and assets. Also, the later you’re getting married, the more time you’ve had to build your individual financial autonomy, as well as your feelings related to money.
Take Virginia and Devin’s relationship, for example.
At the time of their engagement, Virginia was 33, and Devin was 28. It’s not a huge age gap by modern standards, but Virginia has five years of professional development on Devin. It only makes sense that she carefully considers how to divide that hard-earned wealth with someone she’s known for one month.
As the trend toward marrying later in life continues, prenups will become a valuable tool for thoughtfully combining finances.
2. Traditional Roles Are Changing
The world looks a lot different than it did 30 years ago. Not only have professional opportunities for women improved, but the increased cost of living often requires a dual-income household.
Men and women are taking on more equal roles as parents and income generators, so it’s become critical for both partners to plan their finances and marital obligations.
Plus, there’s more acceptance of interracial, interfaith, and intersex marriages, creating new relationship challenges that prenups help to alleviate.
In modern marriages, it’s not one spouse protecting their assets, but BOTH spouses working jointly to set parameters around their personal and joint financial and family planning goals.
3. Transparency Is More Widely Accepted
As the stigma around mental health has decreased and more people have access to therapy via Telehealth, a new generation of healthy communicators has emerged.
Therapy arms people with communication tactics that are equally useful for prenup discussions: transparency, respectful dialogue, boundary-setting, and active listening, to name a few.
The prenup talk may feel intimidating, but it deepens intimacy and trust between partners when done in a safe and respectful space.
As people continue practicing thoughtful communication, prenups will become a more natural part of relationship planning.
4. Prenups Are More Accessible Than Ever
People are talking about prenups more than ever, thanks to social media and pop culture.
Not only this, but online tools make drafting your prenup easier than ever (see my blog on the topic here—online prenups can be a good option, but you should approach them with caution.)
The more widespread conversation on prenups helps dispel myths and misconceptions, making people increasingly more comfortable with the concept.
Ready To Take The Leap?
Whether it’s your first, second, or whatever marriage, there’s never been a better time to get a prenup.
People are warming up to the concept, thanks in part to social media, shifts in societal standards, and even shows like Love Is Blind.
I applaud Virginia and Devin for making this important decision. Even if they didn’t end up marrying (oops…), they did one thing right: they prioritized their financial health for the good of the relationship.
Curious about what a prenup can do for you and your spouse-to-be? Book a consultation call with me today. I’m happy to bust outdated prenup myths and kickstart your modern marriage on the right foot.