As this spring sprung into full bloom, millions of romantics across the world tuned in to watch another royal wedding that will be remembered for years to come. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle exchanged vows and united in marriage, with all the pomp and circumstance you would expect with the fairytale-like scenario.
Fairytales Do Come True … Sort Of
Once we all get out of elementary school, however, most of us tend to learn that life isn’t a fairytale. This isn’t just true for us everyday folk; but it is also true in the case of the marriage between the now Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Let’s look at a few standout elements of the royal marriage and apply them to Texas couples’ or individuals’ lives.
You might have more in common with the royals than you think.
Markle Was not a Poor Lady Awaiting Her Prince
Obviously, Prince Harry entered this marriage with riches of the royal kind. There are likely traditional rules set up regarding potential divorce and the division of any royal property. Most of us can’t say we have such long-standing family rules to protect our riches, or as most of us call them, our assets.
Then there is Markle. She was no royal until saying, “I do,” but she was no pauper either. Markle has had success as an actress and a well-known philanthropist. Now as “Her Royal Highness,” she is sure to enjoy a different kind of riches. Still, how she came into the marriage serves as an example of a kind of woman who, in a less royal situation, would want to protect her property through a prenuptial agreement.
Neither Was Markle a Young Lady
Not only did the now Duchess have her own career and money before becoming a royal, but she also had been married before. She is a divorced 36-year-old woman. Entering a second or subsequent marriage can have an impact on family law matters. So can a relatively older age.
What to Consider If You Can Relate to the Royals
If you have substantial property or other financial assets before you get married, Texas law allows for the creation of a pre-marital contract. People are getting married at a later age in life these days. This means that both men and women can already have a nice nest egg started when they get married. Should a marriage end in divorce, you don’t want to lose your nest egg along with your spouse.
If you are a little older and/or divorced like the new duchess, you might have something of utmost importance to consider when preparing to remarry. Do you have children? If you do have kids and are getting remarried, you likely want to be extra cautious about protecting your assets. Should this new marriage not work out, you don’t want to be left with less money you had before — less money to use toward supporting your children.
How to Get Your Own Happily Ever After
For so many, getting married isn’t about sharing every dime and asset each other has worked so hard to earn. Rather, it is sincerely about making a promise to love and honor someone for the rest of each their lives.
Sitting down with family law attorneys to discuss the separate property you would both like to protect before getting married can relieve some worries you and your soon-to-be spouse might have about your separate finances.
While married, you can keep the focus on that goal instead of on money by setting expectations before marriage. Contact the Law Office of V. Wayne Ward with questions about planning for property division with a prenuptial agreement.
Just because you are not part of a royal family doesn’t mean your family and family planning needs are not important. It doesn’t mean your assets aren’t as invaluable as those of a duke or duchess. Protect yourself with the help of an experienced attorney.
