28-Year-Old Making $500,000 A Year Explains To Dave Ramsey His Fiancée's Rich Parents Want Him To Sign A Prenup — 'It's A Bit Low Class'

A recent caller to The Ramsey Show raised important questions about prenuptial agreements with financial expert Dave Ramsey. The show provided a platform for a 28-year-old listener seeking guidance on an impending prenuptial request, not from his fiancee, but from her family.

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The caller, who makes $300,000 a year, is engaged to a woman from an extremely wealthy family. He noted that his income is expected to jump to around $500,000 a year. Despite his substantial income, his future in-laws want him to sign a prenuptial agreement to protect their daughter's potential inheritance. He explained that his fiancee, aged 25, has no money.

Ramsey shared his perspective based on his extensive experience. "When my children were married, my net worth was over $100 million, and none of them signed a prenuptial," he revealed. Ramsey explained that he had structured his estate to protect family assets without requiring such agreements. "I have my estate plan set up to where certain things are controlled only by Ramsey blood in trusts so you can't get to them in the event of a divorce."

Addressing the caller's concern, Ramsey pointed out that in most states, an inheritance generally goes to the person who inherited it and isn’t divided in a divorce. He made it clear, however, that he is not a lawyer but has seen this hold in many financial cases he has encountered.

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Ramsey acknowledged the caller’s discomfort with the prenuptial request. "Frankly, it's a little bothersome," he said. "If I were in your shoes, I'd find it troubling that this came up after the engagement. It's a bit low class to add something to the contract terms after signing it."

Ken Coleman, co-host on the show, emphasized a deeper issue: the potential control the fiancee's family might exert over their relationship. "The concern is less about the money and their role in her life," Coleman noted, suggesting that the couple seek premarital counseling to address these dynamics.

Ramsey agreed, highlighting the importance of establishing clear boundaries. "You're marrying her and her family, and it's crucial to understand what this issue means for your relationship," he said. He also suggested the caller consider how this situation might affect his future. "What else is going to come up after you're married that they tell her what to do?"

The caller also mentioned that his future in-laws plan to build a house for the couple and place it in a trust. Ramsey cautioned about the implications of such control. "This family has problems with leaving and cleaving. They're big into real estate and they want to control this asset."

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Ramsey shared his challenges with setting boundaries as a wealthy parent. He noted that having money can create a desire to control things but emphasized the importance of allowing children to live their lives.

Coleman echoed this sentiment, stressing the importance of allowing young adults to face hardship and grow independently. "Massive money creates massive ease, and absent of hardship, it can make people soft and entitled."

Ramsey wrapped up the discussion by advising the caller to bring these issues up in premarital counseling. He emphasized the importance of the couple sitting down with a therapist to discuss these dynamics before getting married, highlighting the need to set boundaries with her family to ensure a healthy relationship.

By addressing key financial issues upfront, prenups can provide peace of mind and help couples navigate potential challenges in the future. While discussing a prenuptial may not be the most romantic conversation, it can be essential in building a strong and secure foundation for a successful marriage. However, it’s not for everyone.

It is also important to consider consulting a professional advisor when making significant life decisions, such as marriage. Advisors can offer valuable insights and guidance tailored to individual needs and circumstances, whether financial planning, estate planning, or legal matters. 

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