By Wall Street Journal
Can planning for divorce actually save your marriage?
Divorce can be one of the most financially disruptive events in a person’s life. It’s not just about who gets the dog. It’s about calculating the true value of a family business, and figuring out if you can actually afford the taxes on the vacation home you just “won” in court. Host Imani Moise speaks with Kristen Shearin, a certified divorce financial analyst, about the math you should do before saying “I do.”
Rose Law Group family law attorney Kelsey Fischer tells RLGR, “I find the idea of “planning for divorce” less about pessimism and more about healthy partnership. Couples who are willing to have honest, sometimes uncomfortable conversations about finances such as assets, debt, expectations, and even worst‑case scenarios tend to build stronger foundations. A well-crafted prenuptial or postnuptial agreement isn’t a prediction of failure; it is recognizing that clarity, communication, and mutual protection are often the foundation of a successful partnership. It aligns expectations, reduces uncertainty, and often prevents the kind of conflict that arises when financial assumptions go unspoken.
This podcast also rightly underscores that divorce is not just emotional, it’s a complex financial unraveling with long-term consequences. In community property states like Arizona, default legal rules won’t always reflect a couple’s unique needs, particularly in second marriages or blended families. Thoughtful planning, often with input from financial professionals, can help parties understand the real value and impact of decisions, beyond who “gets” what and create a roadmap that protects both spouses and their families. In that sense, planning for divorce isn’t about an exit strategy; it’s about entering marriage with transparency, fairness, and a shared understanding of the future.”
