Elegant Wedding Toronto 2018 Elegant Wedding Digital Magazine Toronto 2018 | Page 16

He proposed and you said Yes! The best time to plan for the future is now! Why You Should Consider a Marriage Contract by Jennifer Samara Shuber – Certified Specialist in Family Law Couples might be hesitant about signing a marriage contract out of fear that a contract pre-supposes the end of the relationship. I prefer to look at a marriage contract as a way of getting your financial house in order before you begin a new phase of life. Like a life insurance policy or a will, a marriage contract lets you plan your finances to fit your lifestyle and specific needs. Broaching the idea of a contract is delicate. It forces a candid and honest discussion about money and requires you and your fiancé to discuss your future plans and expectations. Will you each be financially self-sufficient or do you anticipate sharing income and assets? What if you stay home to care for children? Should your financial obligations to each other change if the relationship lasts five or even 25 years? Do you want the same result if the relationship ends due to either separation or death? What about the house? What if you work in or have shares in a family business? Or expect to receive a large gift or inheritance? Do your parents have expectations that these things will stay in the family? What if one of you owes significantly more debt than the other? A marriage contract can address all of these issues and more. Our Family Law Group Our Family Law Grou A common marriage contract provision deals with the matrimonial home. Without a contract, the law mandates equal sharing of the value of the matrimonial home, even if only one of you owns it when you marry or your contributions to the property are not the same. Get family law advice before your wedding about whether a marriage contract would make sense for you. As a member of the Beard Winter LLP Family Law Group, I can provide you with options and advice. Jennifer Samara Shuber F O C U S E D O N FA M I LY Audrey A. Shecter e. [email protected] t. 416.306.1741 12 Shmuel Z. Stern e. [email protected] t. 416.306.1706 Jennifer S. Shuber e. [email protected] t. 416.306.1742 130 Adelaide Street West, 7th Floor Toronto, Ontario M5H 2K4 F O C U S E D O N FA M I Audrey A. Shecter e. [email protected] t. 416.306.1741 Shmuel Z. Stern e. [email protected] t. 416.306.1706 Jennif e. jshu t. 416 130 Adelaide To