My Brother Should Get a Prenup, Right?
The New York Times
An older sister wonders how to talk to her sibling about premarital agreements.
My younger brother told me that he is proposing to his girlfriend of six years. He’s 25 — which, from my perspective as his older sister in a committed, unmarried relationship, is too young to propose. On top of this, his soon-to-be fiancée has extreme social anxiety, which has kept our family from getting to know her well. I am supportive of their relationship because my brother is deeply in love. Still, I know that if I were to get married, I would make sure my partner and I signed a prenuptial agreement. How can I broach the subject with my brother? He’s the first of his friends to marry, and he might not know how common such agreements are or how much one might protect him down the road.
SISTER
The fact that you and your partner choose not to marry, but would definitely sign a prenuptial agreement if you did, is an excellent argument for your doing exactly that. It has little bearing, though, on what your brother should do. I get that you’re being protective (and a little controlling). Still, 25 is not a child, and they’ve been dating for six years!
