Prenuptial Agreements – Weddings
Prenuptial Agreements
Johnette Duff
"Til death do us part" is still the language used in most weddings. Couples enter marriage with the hope of making a lifetime commitment. If this goal is not reached or if a spouse dies, the desire to be a couple is so ingrained that most will marry again.
The inability of the marriage laws to meet the needs of many couples makes the concept of a marital agreement quite positive, despite the bad publicity premarital agreements have reached. The freedom to structure a relationship should not be determined by laws that do not reflect the changing realities of family life in American today.
There is no firm tradition of marital contracts in our country because of the inherent resistance of comparing love to a business deal. Many civilized societies through the ages, however, have documented marital agreements with written documents.
Celebrities and the media have made couples aware of the concept of a contract executed between a married couple, whether terming it a premarital, prenuptial, antenuptial or postmarital agreement. The rich have known about them for years, but middle-class America, alarmed about the rising divorce rate, is anxious to know more.
Who Needs Them
Anyone about to enter a marriage who is concerned about the inadequacies of the laws in the face of todays social realities;
Anyone who is remarrying;
Anyone concerned about protecting the assets of children from a prior marriage;
Anyone who has a financially dependent parent;
Business owners, particularly of professional practices and particularly those with business partners, because a spouse effectively becomes a silent partner in the business;
Anyone with significant separate property in states where a spouse is entitled to a share of income from separate property.
Anyone whose intended spouse has significant premarital responsibilities, such as alimony, child support, or tax obligations.
Anyone cautious enough to prefer a written record of the ownership of assets to avoid confusion in the future from creditors or other family members.
Its not romantic; its practical. And limiting a spouses take upon divorce is far from the only purpose, despite the perception gleaned from the popular press. Doesnt it make sense to make decisions under the best of circumstances instead of during the emotional upheaval of a troubled relationship
As with most things, theres good news and bad news about private marital contracts. The openness needed for such an agreement is good for a relationship; the implication of a lack of trust is bad. A marital contract can avoid expensive and emotionally debilitating divorce trials, but its expensive to enforce any contract in court. Such an agreement will reduce to writing the agreement for division of property upon divorce, although it can prevent a spouse from obtaining marital rights upon divorce.
The love and the law newsletter is written by Johnette Duff, Attorney at Law*
Copyright 2003 by Johnette Duff
Ms. Duff is licensed in the State of Texas
www.loveandthelaw.com
About The Author
Johnette Duff is a matrimonial attorney licensed in the state of Texas. She is also the author of three books on love and the law; The Spousal Equivalent Handbook, The Marriage Handbook and Love After 50. Ms. Duff has been featured on Today, Good Morning America, in The Wall Street Journal, Self, New Woman, Smart Money and Modern Maturity and has been a guest on hundreds of radio talk shows.
info@loveandthelaw.com
Lighting the Way when Two Become One – Weddings
Lighting the Way when Two Become One
M J Plaster
Whether you want to add a little extra romance to an evening reception or a little glow to your house of worship, candles are a natural, effortless addition to your wedding theme. Youll have no trouble finding a role for candles at the wedding ceremony, at the reception, and even as part of the floral displays.
Unity Candles
Join the growing number of couples who include a unity candle as part of the wedding ceremony. Perhaps you think that unity candles are steeped in a rich history of religious tradition, or perhaps you think that unity candles are the invention of the candle makers to sell an extra candle or 10,000. Neither is the case. The exact evolution of the unity candle is uncertain, but since it began 30-40 years ago, it seems that we have that ever-lively 60s generation to thank for yet another custom that has wormed its way into modern life.
Id like to propose my own idea of the unity candles origin
Wedding Cake – Weddings
Wedding Cake
Tom Tsatsos
The wedding cake is one of the most important features of your reception. In fact, it is the centerpiece of your reception. You should begin shopping for a baker 6-8 months before the wedding. If you plan on having your reception catered, ask your caterer if they will bake your wedding cake. However, you do not have to choose the caterer to bake your cake. You can also buy cakes from commercial and boutique bakeries, custom wedding cake designer, a culinary school or someone you know who makes cakes from home.
Begin by calling bakeries or cake decorators in your area to check for date availability. If they are available, make an appointment to go in and check out the designs, taste and skill level of the business. Many specialty cake decorators require that you book six months to a year in advance to reserve your date, whereas commercial bakeries may require 3 months due to larger staff and their ability to do a larger quantity of cakes.
Since most weddings are on the weekends, bakers deadlines also coincide with that timetable. A phone call to make an appointment to visit with the individual or bakery about your cake will be appreciated. If you just walk in and expect undivided attention, you may be disappointed if they do not have time to visit with you at that time.
Ask the baker to provide samples of the cake flavors, icings, fillings, etc., during your interview. The taste, flavor and texture of the cake itself will be the most important decision you will make when you order your cake. The outside beauty of your wedding cake will be important for your pictures and your personal statement, but the inside of the cake is what you will be serving to your guests. You want a cake that is flavorful, moist and good to eat.
Before your meeting with the baker, collect pictures of wedding cakes that appeal to you. Be sure to take those pictures with you on your interviews so that you can give your baker an illustrated idea of what you are looking for in a wedding cake. Here are some key questions you need to ask them:
Flexibility-Will they bake a cake according to your specifications
Is the cake made from scratch or is it from a cake mix
Request to see pictures of their work. Most bakers will have a portfolio of their cakes.
Certain cakes are not good for particular seasons. For example, if you are planning an outdoor wedding in August, you want to avoid cakes with mousse, meringue, whipped cream or buttercream filling. Ask the baker what cakes are in season.
What is the price per serving Prices can average between $1.50 a slice to $15 a slice depending on the cake you choose. The price depends on frosting, decorations, architecture, etc. Understand that the more elaborate the cake, the more expensive the "per serving" price will be.
What are the extra charges Most bakers charge for renting the pillars, columns, cake toppers, delivery and set-up. There may also be extra charges for certain cake fillings, flavors, styles, etc.
Who will be setting up the cake
What do they provide in the set-up Talk to your baker about how youd like the cake table to be set up.
If you plan on using fresh flowers on your cake, who is responsible for providing the flowers, the baker or the florist
When interviewing the baker, make sure you know the number of servings required, your desired type and design, and your budget for the cake. Be up front with the baker about the maximum amount you are willing to spend on your cake and ask them if they are willing to negotiate. Click here to see how you can save money on your wedding cake.
After you have decided on a baker and all the details, make sure to get everything in writing. Your contract should include the following:
Detailed description of the cake type, style, and description of the decorations.
The number of layers and fillings for each layer if applicable.
Type of frosting.
Wedding date, time and location of delivery
When, how, where and by whom the cake will be delivered or picked up. Make sure to include the complete address where the cake is to be delivered.
Name and contact information of the baker
List of rented items pillars, cake stand, cake table, etc.
Delivery and set-up fees
Total price
Deposit amount
Balance and due date
Bakers cancellation and/or refund policy
If you do your homework, buying your wedding cake will be a smooth process. Remember to be realistic, and dont spend your entire wedding budget on your wedding cake.
About The Author
Tom Tsatsos
http://www.theamericanwedding.com