22-Year-Old Inherits $1.5 Million, Asks The Ramsey Show If She Should Get A Prenup, Dave Recommends Pre-Marriage Counseling

In a recent episode of "The Ramsey Show," 22-year-old Molly from Austin, TX, called in with a pressing question. She recently received a $1.5 million inheritance and plans to marry in November. She wanted to know if she should get a prenuptial agreement. Dave Ramsey, traditionally not an advocate of prenups, provided some insights that extend beyond the financial aspects of Molly's situation. 

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Molly's significant inheritance is a sum of cash, stocks, and business notes from her grandfather's business. Before that, she only had $10,000, so she is relatively new to handling large sums of money. On the other hand, her fiance does not have significant financial resources and was planning to take over his parents' Mosquito Joe's franchise. 

"He’s done some work to start it up, but I’m just a little concerned that the inheritance has made him less – or it’s created less pressure for him to work," Molly said.

Ramsey immediately responded, "That’s a different question than ‘Do I need a prenuptial?’ OK? That is, you need premarriage counseling." 

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He emphasized, “Money does not cause people to have problems. It exposes their problems. It magnifies the good and the bad in you and in him.” He suggested that the real issue at hand was not the prenuptial but the relationship dynamics and underlying issues that needed to be addressed through intensive premarital counseling.

Rachel Cruze, co-host of The Ramsey Show, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the importance of transitioning from a high school romance to a marriage. She recommended that Molly and her fiance seek professional counseling to address their concerns and prepare for the significant life changes ahead.

Ramsey did acknowledge that prenups can be beneficial in certain situations. He explained, "The reason I would tell you yes on a prenuptial is not because of what you’re concerned about with him. It’s because any time there is a great disparity, like a huge pile of money like you’ve got versus no money like he’s got, it brings out weirdness in the extended family."

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He elaborated that a prenuptial could help manage the potential influence of the extended family on Molly's fiance and help set clear boundaries regarding her inheritance. However, he stressed that while a prenuptial can be helpful in her situation, it is not a way to "fix" her future spouse, nor is it a solution to relationship issues. 

Dave’s advice draws attention to the broader implications of financial disparities in relationships and the importance of addressing these issues head-on. Money can exacerbate and create new problems, making open communication and professional guidance an important step.

In light of this discussion, it's wise for couples facing similar situations to seek comprehensive financial and relationship advice. Roughly 73% of married or cohabitating Americans experience relationship tension from money decisions. Ramsey's advice of speaking with a counselor can help couples navigate how finances impact their relationships and find the best ways to resolve money-related concerns. 

Consulting a financial advisor can be invaluable for personalized advice tailored to financial concerns, ensuring that your financial strategies align with your long-term goals. 

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