Pre-Wedding Checklist From a Divorce Lawyer (Tips On Marriage Success)

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Pre-Wedding Checklist from Divorce Lawyer

Why should you take wedding advice from divorce lawyers?  We like to think it’s similar to taking advice about avoiding a heart attack from a cardiologist, or avoiding cancer from an oncologist.  We know why marriages end, and have some savvy advice for those willing to listen about how to AVOID DIVORCE and have your best marriage!  After all, marriage can be an amazing experience when you are both willing to work at the marriage, and work on yourselves. Gain a unique perspective on building a solid foundation for your marriage with our essential Pre-Wedding Checklist From a Divorce Lawyer.

The fact is that people enter marriage thinking that “love will be enough.”  The reality is that the “feelings of love” will wax and wane over the course of a lifetime together, and the commitment of love must be protected and nurtured.

While it is not romantic to talk about the legal implications of a marriage relationship, it is critical for both individuals entering into the marriage to understand that there is a whole body of law that applies to your marriage.  Engaged couples are oftentimes surprised to learn about the various rules that the State of Texas has already applied to their marriage. 

What if you don’t like these rules that the state legislators have applied to your marriage?  Then you have options.  Many couples decide to enter into a premarital agreement so they can decide together how they want their affairs handled.  They have the power to choose:  1) who will have what property rights, 2) how they will handle debts and liabilities, 3) what protections are in place when the marriage ends (either by death or divorce).  Does everyone need a premarital agreement?  Absolutely not.  The laws applying to married couples work fine in most situations.  Nevertheless, it is a good idea to know what those laws are, and how they will impact your life together. WACH OUR PODCAST EPISODE WITH AIMEE KEY .

If you are newly engaged, or thinking about marriage, we have created a free simple checklist for you and your partner to go through that will guide meaningful conversations and help you make decisions that will benefit your marriage over the years. We have often found that a by-product is that the relationship is actually strengthened by this process and gives the couple comfort knowing they have a plan for the future.

In general, the checklist identifies a few categories.

PRE-MARRIAGE COUNSELING

There is never a better time to address personal issues, mental health, and interpersonal issues than before you get married.  While the lovey-dovey stage of a relationship and the excitement of a wedding feels wonderful, there will be stumbling blocks ahead. Being married doesn’t magically fix any challenges that you may be going through personally or with each other.

Investing in pre-marital counseling together, or individual therapy is a great resource for a couple about to embark on a life together.  One of the most popular episodes on The Jennifer Hargrave Show has been the episode with licensed therapist Ryan Waller. They address the topic of why tough conversations are so meaningful to the healing process.Exploring those difficult topics in a supportive setting can lead to understanding and common ground before times get tough.

FINANCIAL PLANNING

It’s a known fact that one of the leading factors in causing divorces is a couple’s finances.  A wide variety of topics are factors: disparities in income, approaches to savings, incurring debts, saving for retirement, purchasing life insurance, managing an inheritance, business ownership, etc. There are a lot of ways that financial decisions can come into play during a marriage and cause friction.

We believe that the best time to address and anticipate potential sources of disagreement is while you are madly in love!  Having these conversations before you are married will take a lot of stress off of entering into a marital relationship, and allow you build a foundation of  agreements while you are clear headed. Financial planning is one of the main reasons that pre-marital agreements have seen a sharp uptick with the millennial generation.  

CONFLICT RESOLUTION

Finally, one of the biggest opportunities for an engaged couple to start off in a great position is to address how they approach decision making.  It may be hard to imagine it now, but throughout your marriage, you will be presented with a wide variety of decisions to be made, some of them very tough decisions. Working through the preparation of a premarital agreement provides the opportunity to learn conflict resolution skills that can prove to be invaluable as you navigate conflict through your marriage. Also, making the decision now to anticipate any potential bumps in your relationship  and working with a family lawyer to craft a clear premarital agreement can include pre-emptive decisions, avoiding future conflict on those issues altogether. 

Explore your common ground!

If you are considering marriage, we are excited for you and your soon to be spouse!  Our hope is that this simple checklist will give the two of you different topics of conversation that will help you explore starting your marriage off on common ground. If you have children, there will be many decisions regarding their education, extra-curricular activities, potential trusts, and their own property. If you inherit funds or property, navigating an estate with various family members involved can be complex and potentially challenging, and determining how your inheritance will be managed within your marriage can add to that stress. Exploring potential decisions around what to do if one or both of the spouses should find themselves disabled or unable to provide for the family, can put your mind at ease already knowing how those issues will be handled.

We are well-versed in all of the potential ways a healthy, robust premarital agreement can positively impact a marriage and protect both of you, your children, your inheritance, and your business.  Take a look at the free checklist below, and feel free to reach out to us with any questions. If you are ready to engage a family law firm for help navigating a Prenuptial Agreement, we’re here to help!

 

Compassionate Dallas Divorce Attorney Jennifer Stanton Hargrave

Compassionate Dallas Divorce Attorney, Jennifer Hargrave

 

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Hargrave Family Law – Compassionate Dallas Divorce Lawyers

Hargrave Family Law was founded by Dallas divorce lawyer Jennifer Hargrave with a strong mission in mind. Using non-adversarial techniques, our firm advocates for you during this challenging life transition in a way that helps you protect what matters most. Reach out to our team of compassionate Dallas divorce lawyers at Hargrave Family Law for the support you need to navigate divorce and other family law matters. We offer a complimentary case evaluation to start your journey with us. Together, we will work towards safeguarding the happiness and well-being of your family, allowing you to write your next chapter with hope.

 

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Jennifer Hargrave

Owner & Managing Partner

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Jennifer Stanton Hargrave, J.D. is the founder of Hargrave Family Law, a Dallas-based boutique family law firm that is rooted in empathy, excellence, and empowerment. Jennifer is a seasoned, well-respected Dallas divorce attorney whose career is marked by her commitment to helping families navigate the often painful and complex journey of divorce with dignity and clarity. She has made it her mission to build a robust team of professionals who share this passion and who excel in helping clients build new futures filled with hope and promise.

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Hear From Hargrave Family Law Clients

Testimonials

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L.P.

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I felt fully supported throughout the entire process, and their guidance was
invaluable.

David B.

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I always felt heard and cared for by this team of professionals. 10 out of 10 would
recommend to anyone dealing with a family-law issue!

Ashleigh S.

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Hargrave Family Law was a blessing during a personally difficult time, helping us
navigate complicated aspects of divorce when assets and minor children were
involved.

Jordan T.

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Everyone there was very supportive and our family is in a better place now. Their team
even continues to check in after your case closes, which shows how much they truly
care.

Michelle A.

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Hargrave Law’s team not only provided outstanding legal expertise for my family but
also showed genuine care and compassion throughout the entire process. They took
the time to listen and understand our family’s unique situation and always made sure we
felt supported and informed.

Justin Y.

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What could have been a chaotic and emotional process was made manageable thanks
to their steady guidance. We are beyond grateful for the outcome in the case and highly
recommend this firm to anyone needing a skilled and compassionate Dallas divorce
attorney.

Jeremy Y.

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The staff here was always responsive, clear in their communication, and truly made a
difficult process much easier for everyone involved. If you’re looking for a top-notch
Dallas divorce attorney, this is the firm you want on your side.

Sharon T.

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Their understanding and professionalism throughout the process were truly remarkable,
and I am forever grateful for their role in helping me find my way to the other side.
If you're looking for a legal team that truly cares about their clients and will stand by your
side with compassion and expertise, I highly recommend Hargrave Family Law. I will
always be thankful for the support and strength they gave me.

Mike L.

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The Hargrave team made me feel heard, were compassionate and thoughtful. Most
importantly, I was comfortable trusting their advice.

Kam B.

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You cannot go wrong with Hargrave Family Law. They bring humanity along with
expertise in very difficult situations.

Christy H.

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Going through a divorce can be an emotionally overwhelming experience, but the
paralegals and attorneys at this firm made the entire process so much less stressful.

Ava H.

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From the first consultation, I felt heard, supported, and truly understood. The entire
team brings a rare combination of professionalism, compassion, and strategic expertise
to family law, which made a difficult process feel manageable and even empowering.

Liz R.

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They were able to take my case with a very quick turn around. They were personable,
caring, thorough and have been amazing all around. If I ever needed anything else, I
would go to them first.

Soo C.

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Divorce a very difficult and emotional decision for anyone to make, but finding the right
legal support was probably the most important decision I made other than taking that
step forward to end my marriage. Finding that legal support can be challenging – asking
around discretely for recommendations, meeting with them and then choosing someone
can be overwhelming. What I found with Jennifer Hargrave and the Hargrave Family
was a team with my best interests at heart. Thank you Jennifer for helping me become
the best, empowered me! My family and I thank you.

Allison B.

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Divorce is very scary, as I’m sure most legal matters probably are, but when you are
going through the process and still having to deal with the other person involved, it can
be a daunting experience. Hargrave Family Law recognizes that going through divorce
is extremely stressful and they are ready to help guide you through it. If you are looking
for an attorney who not only has the qualifications, but also actually listens and cares
about you as an individual, then I highly recommend Hargrave Family Law.

Daine C.

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They were very patient with me and fought hard to get me what I wanted. I look back
now and I’m so grateful.

Kim G.

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They helped me prepare, ease my fears, and provided such clarity and confidence
through the challenges along the way. I am now on the other side and can say I would
have never had such a smooth experience and have the life I have today without this
incredible team!

Erin B.

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My children and family dynamic were always the top priority. Every detail was
communicated to me and thoroughly explained. Jennifer and her staff were always
available to listen to my concerns and address them.

Amy B.

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They approached my situation with innovative solutions, which ultimately led to a
resolution where all parties emerged victorious. This outcome was unprecedented, and
the sense of satisfaction it brought me was beyond measure.

Angela M.

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“Jennifer was a beacon of hope for my family member at a time when her options appeared limited and the likelihood of a satisfactory resolution seemed impossible. Her calm and empathetic demeanor offered emotional succor not just to my relative, but to her wider family circle. And though it may seem trivial, she has such a great sense of humor. Sometimes you need that to get through a difficult situation. I will always feel grateful for the way she so professionally managed to obtain the end result we were all hoping for. I can truly recommend her without hesitation. And if you have a loved one needing counsel, realize there is hope. Contact Jennifer Hargrave. She will fight for you to the end.”