Before entering into the institution of marriage, couples have a lot to consider, especially if they are wealthy or have other assets that may need to be divided in the case of a divorce. Houston couples should take the time to discern whether a prenuptial agreement is needed. If they have received one from their fiancée, they should learn about their legal rights before agreeing to it.
Amelia Earhart, a 1930s feminist icon who was the first female pilot to fly across the Atlantic Ocean alone, was known for her forward-thinking almost as well as her mysterious disappearance in 1937 while attempting to fly around the world. She is now known for a modern prenuptial agreement prior to her marriage to book publisher George Putnam.
The prenuptial agreement has been placed in a Purdue University online exhibit in her honor. Admitting to being reluctant to marry her groom-to-be, Earhart goes on to state in the letter that if, in one year’s time, the couple did not find happiness in their union, it should be mutually dissolved. Putnam in an essay a few years later revealed that he respected her career, but did not have to approve of all the career decisions Earhart made; he encouraged her to do what she wanted because he thought she earned the right to make her own decisions.
The one-page letter that Earhart wrote describing her reasons for doubt centered on the effect the marriage would have on her career. She feared that the marriage might hinder her opportunities. The letter also touched on faithfulness and the absence of her expectation of such from Putnam.
Prior to drafting a prenuptial agreement or responding to one, people should learn about all legal aspects of such an agreement. Couples should enter the institution of marriage feeling more confident about protecting themselves just in case the marriage ends in divorce court.
Source: Huffingtonpost.com, “Amelia Earhart’s prenup is remarkably modern,” Dec. 11, 2012
