4 ms·

I don't understand why someone has more financial assets than their partner would marry. It basically means if something goes wrong, you loose half your life sa

I don't understand why someone has more financial assets than their partner would marry. It basically means if something goes wrong, you loose half your life savings, and potentially half your earning potential forever (until the other partner re-marries). It's a pretty nasty trap for the higher earner. Grandma taught me two things "No such thing as a promise" and "Nothing lasts forever". 40+ years after that and she's right on.

05 6y ago
People are irrational. Why live when you die in the end? Why have kids if the universe would eventually meet its heat death/contraction? Your neocortex is just a coprocessor that can help execute the motivations generated by the reptilian brain more efficiently..
wing-_-nuts 6y ago
Or you could get a prenup that protects each partners assets at the time of marriage and negotiates the spousal support to be provided, ( or perhaps no support ). A prenup is fundamentally a discussion between two people, that love each other enough to marry, on how they will treat each other in the event of divorce. I would much rather have an uncomfortable discussion before marriage with the woman who loves me enough to marry me, than to leave my fate in the hands of a woman who hates me enough to divorce me. A solid and fair prenup would be a hard requirement for me to get married.
vharuck 6y ago
- Right now, my wife gets the benefits of being married to somebody with a better job (insurance, I'm sure there are other things slipping my mind) - I love her and want good things for her right now. That may change after years go by. But there's no reason to ignore how I feel now and make decisions based on how I might feel a long time away. - Symbolism is important. It might not be tangible, but you can't deny it has effects in the world.
AnimalMuppet 6y ago
Because there is more to life than finances. My wife is an asset, even if she's not a financial one. She has made my life richer for 30 years. She has cost me money and I still got an amazingly good deal.
lotsofpulp 6y ago
> I don't understand why someone has more financial assets than their partner would marry. They generally don’t, and it’s shown in the data where higher earning couples marry each other. But it’s not strictly about money, the spouse can also be bringing outsized looks, family wealth, connections, or other achievements.
loeg 6y ago
> I don't understand why someone has more financial assets than their partner would marry. It basically means if something goes wrong, you loose half your life savings, and potentially half your earning potential forever (until the other partner re-marries). Pre-marital assets are generally not community property, so, no. You could lose half your during-the-marriage earnings, but you specifically mentioned pre-marital financial assets.
triceratops 6y ago
> It basically means if something goes wrong, you loose half your life savings, No, only half your savings after getting married. If you started the marriage with 0, tough luck, I guess.

05 6y ago

People are irrational. Why live when you die in the end? Why have kids if the universe would eventually meet its heat death/contraction? Your neocortex is just a coprocessor that can help execute the motivations generated by the reptilian brain more efficiently..

wing-_-nuts 6y ago

Or you could get a prenup that protects each partners assets at the time of marriage and negotiates the spousal support to be provided, ( or perhaps no support ). A prenup is fundamentally a discussion between two people, that love each other enough to marry, on how they will treat each other in the event of divorce. I would much rather have an uncomfortable discussion before marriage with the woman who loves me enough to marry me, than to leave my fate in the hands of a woman who hates me enough to divorce me. A solid and fair prenup would be a hard requirement for me to get married.

vharuck 6y ago

- Right now, my wife gets the benefits of being married to somebody with a better job (insurance, I'm sure there are other things slipping my mind) - I love her and want good things for her right now. That may change after years go by. But there's no reason to ignore how I feel now and make decisions based on how I might feel a long time away. - Symbolism is important. It might not be tangible, but you can't deny it has effects in the world.

AnimalMuppet 6y ago

Because there is more to life than finances. My wife is an asset, even if she's not a financial one. She has made my life richer for 30 years. She has cost me money and I still got an amazingly good deal.

lotsofpulp 6y ago

> I don't understand why someone has more financial assets than their partner would marry. They generally don’t, and it’s shown in the data where higher earning couples marry each other. But it’s not strictly about money, the spouse can also be bringing outsized looks, family wealth, connections, or other achievements.

loeg 6y ago

> I don't understand why someone has more financial assets than their partner would marry. It basically means if something goes wrong, you loose half your life savings, and potentially half your earning potential forever (until the other partner re-marries). Pre-marital assets are generally not community property, so, no. You could lose half your during-the-marriage earnings, but you specifically mentioned pre-marital financial assets.

triceratops 6y ago

> It basically means if something goes wrong, you loose half your life savings, No, only half your savings after getting married. If you started the marriage with 0, tough luck, I guess.