DebateAnalysis:

PrenuptialAgreements
PersuasionInvasion
SarahFerdon,AmberBrownlow,SabrisWinkler,AveryFaehling,AndrewEisch
UniversityofWisconsinGreenBay

TableofContents:

ExecutiveSummary.2

Introduction..3
NRDd3
AffirmativeArgument..4
NegativeArgument...5
AudienceAnalysis....5
LogosArguments..7
PathosArguments......8
EthosArguments....8
ToulminModel...9
GeneralEvaluation...10
GreenBayEvaluation...12
WallStreetEvaluation..13
CollegeEvaluation14
SoWhat?...15
ContinuousImprovements....16
Conclusion....17
AppendixI.......18
AppendixII..19

ExecutiveSummary
Throughclassconceptsandprovidedreadings,wewereaskedtoanalyzeadebate
regardingtheconceptofprenuptialagreements,drawconclusionsfromthearguments,dissect
thearguments,andproviderationalefortheeffectiveandineffectivearguments.
BeforewebegananalyzingtheWallStreetJournaldebateprovidedtous,ourgroupfirst
conductedsignificantresearcharoundthetopicofprenuptialagreementsandthecurrentusagein
theUnitedStates.UponanalyzingtheWallStreetJournalarticleandvarioussources,we
analyzedvariousargumenttypesandrankedthemaccordingly.
Inordertorankthearguments,wefirstdividedthemintoseparatesectionsundertheea
ofethicsandcredibility.classificationofethos,pathosandlogos.Inourfindings,wefound
considerableargumentsforthepathosandlogosaffirmativearguments,andalsofound
influentialargumentsbasedonthenegativesidesurroundingtheideaofethicsandcredibility.
Amongthemostinfluentialarguments,wethenweightedeachargumentthroughatoulmin
analysis,inwhichwethendisplayedthemostinfluentialargumentsforeachrespectivecategory.
Theeffectiveuseofsuchmodelsallowedourgrouptoproperlyassesseachargumentand
organizeourfindingssufficiently.
Finally,throughaudienceanalysisandbyapplyingvariousclassconcepts,wedetermined
eachaudiencewillgenerallyholdadifferentperspectiveonthedebate,andtherebydepends
uponeachaudiencesdemographics.Intheend,wefoundthattheWallStreetJournalaudience
willtypicallyfavortheaffirmativeargument,whileotheraudiences,suchastheGreenBayarea
willgenerallyfollowthenegativeargument.Tofurtherdemonstrateouranalysisofthedebate,
wemustfirstexplainwhatprenuptialagreementsareandwhattheyprovide.

Introduction
Beforewedelveintoanalyzingtheprenuptialarguments,wemustfirstbrieflyexplain
whatprenuptialagreementsareandwhattheyprovide.Aprenuptialagreementprotectsyoufrom
havingtosplityourwealththatyouacquiredbeforeyourmarriagewithyourspouseaftera
divorce.Italsoprotectsyourspousefromhavingtoacquirehalfofthedebtthatyouwrackedup
beforegettingmarriedafteradivorce.Currently,themajorityofsocietydoesnotchoosetogeta
prenuptialagreement.Thismaybeduetothefactthatmanypeopledonothaveafull
understandingofwhataprenuptialagreemententails.Prenuptialagreementsaretypically
thoughttobeamaritalcontractthatonlythewealthygetinordertoprotecttheirassets.
However,muchoftheresearchshowsthattheseagreementsareactuallyagoodideaforboththe
wealthyandthoseinseriousdebt.Forthisargument,wehaveanalyzedboththenegativeand
affirmativesidesandchosebothawinnerandaloser.

NRDdModel
Inordertoproperlyassessourcaseonprenuptialagreement,ourgroupdecipheredthe
negativeandaffirmativeargumentsbasedonthecurrentUnitedStatesstandards.Afterwe
determinedtheaffirmativeargument,weoutlinedourdebatepropositionintheNRDdmodelto
helpusbuildouraffirmativeargumentthatmostcouplesshouldsignaprenuptialagreement.
Theneedforafundamentalchangeinpolicyinourargument,ortheburdenofproof,isto
protectthefairnessandassetsofamarriage,asopposedtothecurrentstandardsofminimal
protection.Toproperlyresolvetheproblemforthisneed,wedeterminedtheremedyisforthe
coupletocreateaprenuptialagreementpriortotheirmarriagetoensuretheneedismet.

Althougharemedy,wedeterminedadisadvantageofthisremedyistherelationalandtrust
issuesbetweenthecouple,whichisaseriousdisadvantagewhentwopeoplearegoingtobe
spendingtherestoftheirlivestogether.AsnotedinourresearchandthroughtheWallStreet
Journalonprenuptialagreements,thereisoftenhesitationforthecoupletoagreetothe
agreement,asitisoftenassociatedwithrelationalissuesanddistrust.Adevilinthiscasecould
betheargumentovermoneyandprotectionoftheindividualsassets,asthecoupleistypically
concernedabouttheirfinancialassetsgoingintothemarriage,potentiallycausinganissue
throughoutthecourseofthemarriage.

AffirmativeArgument
AfterreadingthroughtheWallStreetJournalargumentonprenuptialagreements
(prenups),wedeterminedtheaffirmativeargumentisthatmostcouplesshouldsignprenuptial
agreements.Sinceamajorityofcouplesdonothaveprenuptialagreementsinplace,the
affirmativesideoftheargumentmustprovidetheburdenofprooffortheargument.Some
supportwefoundforthisargumentduringourresearchwasthatprenuptialagreementsoverall
protectthefinancialassetsofthecouple,andcanbeusefulincasesthroughoutthemarriage.
Prenupscanbeusedincasesofbothdivorceanddeath,aswellastoprotectinheritancerightsof
childrenandgrandchildrenfromapreviousmarriage.Incertainsituations,theagreementcan
alsocanprotectanindividualiftheyareabusinessownerorownaprofessionalpractice.
Anothercommonreasonforaprenupisthatitprotectsadebtfreespousefromhavingtoassume
theobligationsoftheotherspouse,anditcanhelpspeeduptheprocessofadivorce.Prenuptial

agreementsallowthespousestohavecontroloftheirassets,andbothpartiesofthemarriagewill
beawareoftheothersdebtsbeforethemarriageisofficial.

NegativeArgument
Forthenegativesideoftheprenuptialagreementargument,wedeterminedthenegative
argumentisthatindividualsshouldnotgetprenuptialagreementsbecauseitcausesunnecessary
issueswithintherelationship.Theissueoftrustwasaverypopularargumentonthenegative
sidealongwiththeideathatonlyminimalassetsareactuallyprotected.Thisisaprimaryissue
fortheaffirmativeargument,astheymustprovidecounterargumentstothenegativeargument.
Inparticular,ajudgedecidesthevalidityofeveryclauseifthecouplegoestocourt,andthis
createsaneffectiveethosargumentasitdealswithethicsandthefairnessoftheagreement.
Additionally,signingaprenuptialagreementdoesnotadheretoallreligiousbeliefsandcanbe
consideredcoercive,whichsidesonthenegativeargument.Prenupsaresubjecttochangeasa
contractifcertainsituationschange,andtheycanalsobeinvalidifonespousewasunderstress
whentheywereaskedtosignornegotiatetheagreement.Despiteholdingthecurrentstandard,
thenegativeargumentmustproperlydefendtheirsideoftheargument.Asfoundinourresearch
andthroughtheWallStreetJournalarticle,werankedtheseargumentsintologos,ethos,and
pathoscategories.

AudienceAnalysis
InourresearchwelookedattwoaudiencestheGreenBay,WIpopulationaswellasthe
WallStreetJournalreaders.In2014,thepopulationofGreenBaywasabout104,891,according

totheUnitedStatesCensus.Thepercentageofpeoplewhoweremarriedatthattimewas44.3%
wherethedivorcedindividualswasat11.6%.ThedivorcerateintheUnitedStatesin2014was
roughly46%.TheseGreenBaystatisticsdonottakeintoaccountthepeoplewhowere
remarried,thoughitdoesgiveaperspectivetoareadivorcerates.Wedidfindastatisticonthe
groupofthepopulationthatwerenotyetmarriedorwouldnevergetmarriedandthatwas
38.4%.Thewidowedpercentagewas4.4%andtheseparatedpercentagewas1.3%in2014,
meaningthatthetwoindividualswerestillmarriedbutwerenotlivingtogether.Whenappealing
thisargumenttoourGreenBayaudience,sincethedivorcerateismuchlowerthanthenational,
wecaninferthattheywouldbemorepartialtothenegativeargument.Itwouldbeveryhardto
convincetheGreenBayaudiencetochangefromthestatusquowhentheyalreadyhavesuch
strongvaluessetaboutmarriageandprenuptialagreementsdonotalignwiththosevalues.The
amountofpeoplewithahighincomeforthisdemographicisalsomuchlessprominentthanthe
WallStreetJournalreaders,thereforetheywillnotconsideraprenuptialagreementsomething
worthlookingintothewayWallStreetJournalreaderswould.
Basedonourobservationsfromourresearch,theWallStreetJournalaudienceisin
generalmoreeducatedandwealthier.AccordingtotheWallStreetJournalMediaKit,the
averageannualhouseholdincomeamongWallStreetJournalreadersisjustover$248,000a
reasonableincreasefromtheGreenBayaverage.Thisaudiencewilltypicallyfindtheideaofa
prenuptialagreementmuchmoreappealingthantheGreenBayaudience.Additionally,theWall
StreetJournalhasareadershipof86.6percentofcollegegraduates,whichmayindicatetheir
knowledgeonsuchsubjectsandtheirreasoningskills.TheaverageageofWallStreetJournal
readershipis45aswell,whichisimportanttoconsiderwhenlookingatthecorrelationbetween

ageanddivorcerate.Asnotedlaterinourpaper,ouraffirmativeargumentwouldappealtothis
audiencesinceprotectingfinancialassets,inheritances,andtheprotectionofbusinessinterests
andprofessionalpracticesareaspectsthatmostoftheseindividualsconsiderwhentalkingabout
marriage.

LogosArgument
Afterperformingourinitialresearchonthevariousargumentssurroundingprenuptial
agreements,wedividedtheargumentsintologos,ethos,andpathoscategoriestobetterorganize
thedifferentrationalesforgettingornotgettingaprenuptialagreement.Wethenrankedthe
argumentsbasedonthestrengthandvalidityoftheirrationale,andputthestrongargumentsfor
allthreecategoriesintotheToulminModeltobetterexaminethestrengthsfromalogos,ethos,
andpathosstandpoint.
Tostart,wehadseveralargumentstoanalyzeinthelogoscategory,especiallyonthe
affirmativeside.Throughourargumentanalysis,wefoundthemostinfluentiallogos
authoritativeargumenttobethat,prenuptialagreementscanbeusefulincasesofdivorceand
death.Includingtheconceptthatanyincreaseinthevalueofthoseassetsduringthemarriage
maybesubjecttoclaim.Thisargumentplacesvalueontheindividual'sassetsovertimeandthe
importanceoftheagreement,ifthecouplesochoosestoagreeongettingaprenup.This
argumentwasnotablythestrongestandmostprominentthroughoutourresearchforthe
affirmativeside,andultimatelyhadrelativelyweakcounterarguments.Otherlogosarguments
thatsupportsgettingprenuptialagreementsarethatitcanprotectyourprofessionalpracticeor
businessinterests,canprotectadebtfreespousefromassumingthedebtoftheother,itspeeds

upthedivorceprocessshouldthecoupledivorce,anditallowsforthecoupletomaintaincontrol
overtheirownassets.
Onthenegativeside,themostinfluentiallogosargumentwastheideathatminimal
assetsareactuallyprotectedwithaprenuptialagreement.Werankedminimalprotectionof
assetsandcoverageaheadofthecontractualchanges,aswefoundvariousinstancesinwhich
marriagesdidnotsufficientlycoveralloftheindividual'sassets.AsindicatedintheWallStreet
Journal,authorLaurelIsraelstates,Aprenupdoesnthelpmanynewlywedsplanforthefuture
byprovidingcertainty.Howdoesa25yearoldknowwhatthefuturewillbring?Thisargument
providescontextthatanindividualcannotcarefullyconsidereveryassetthatwillcomeintoplay
throughoutthemarriage,andthereforemaynotprotecteveryassetinsuchacase.Thisisa
primaryargumentstatedbythenegativeside,andwillbeproperlyassessedintheToulmin
Model.

EthosArgument
Inregardstotheethosarguments,inwhichthedebatecirculatedaroundethicsand
notoriety,wefoundthatacontractisboundbylawandisconsiderablybasedonethics,and
thereforemaynotdrawasmuchdebateoversuchanagreement.Therefore,thegreatest
argumentfortheaffirmativeargumentfromanethosstandpointis,lawsarebasedonethicsand
fairnessandaprenuptialagreementisacontractthatisboundbylaw.Thisargumentwas
placedhighlyinregardstotheaffirmativeargument,asitishighlybasedoninfluenceand
ethicalstandards.Anothersupportingethosargumentisthatprenupsprotecttheassetsforthe
personwhoworkedhardtoearnitpriortothemarriage.

Onthenegativesideoftheargument,wefoundthatthestrongestargumentfromanethos
standpointisthatthejudgegetstodecidethevalidityofeveryclauseoftheprenuptialagreement
ifitgetstakentocourt.Ajudgeisanelectedofficialandishighlyprofessional,sotheyaretobe
consideredcredibleandwillgetthefinalsay.Thismeansthatthepartiesinvolvedcanttrustthat
theagreementtheyinitiallymadewillstandincourt.Wefoundthistobeanespeciallystrong
ethosargumentforthenegativesidebecausecoupleswhogetprenuptialagreementslackthe
authoritytodeemtheiragreementvalidintheend.
PathosArgument
Inregardstopathos,orargumentsthatappealtotheemotionsofanaudience,wefound
thatfortheaffirmativeargumentsigningaprenuptialagreementshowsmaturityandcaringfor
theindividualslovedones.AsCherylYoungnotedinourWallStreetJournalarticle,prenuptial
agreementscanactuallystrengthenamarriagebecausebothspousesfullyunderstandwherethey
standfinanciallyandemotionallyasituationthatmaynotbediscussedintraditionalmarriages.
Thisisprominentincasesthatdealwithagreementsthatincludechildrenandvariousassets.
Forthenegativeargument,wefoundthatthereisanissueoftrustheadingintoa
prenuptialagreementassomebelievetheyareessentiallydecidingthecourseoftheirmarriage.
Followingourpresentation,andasfoundinourresearch,itwasapparenttheideaofaprenuptial
agreementissurroundedbyanegativeconnotation,thereforecausinghesitationforanindividual
toagreetosuchacontract.AsnotedintheWallStreetJournal,somebelievetheprenuptial
agreementisessentiallydecidingthecourseoftheirmarriageasitindicatesaneventualdivorce,
andthereforecauseschallengesheadingintotherelationship.Prenuptialagreementsareoften

thoughttobeonesidedasthepartywithmoremoneyistheonegettingthebetterdeal,andthis
inadditioncausesmoretensionswithintherelationship.
ThroughourfindingsintheWallStreetJournalandinouradditionalresearchonthe
subject,werankedtheseargumentsbasedonthewarrantsandevidencethataccompanythemto
ultimatelyorganizeourargumentsintoanorderofimportance.Theseargumentsthenleadinto
ournexttoolfordissectingarguments,theToulminModel.

ToulminModel
Wetoulminizedboththeaffirmativeandthenegativeargumentinordertomoreclearly
understandtheargumentsthemselvesandtherationaleforthearguments.Wechosetoorganize
theargumentsintheToulminModelintobothaffirmativeandnegativelogos,ethos,andpathos
standpoints.Bydoingthiswewereabletomoreclearlyunderstandthestrengthsandweaknesses
oftheargumentsandseewhereonesidemaybelackingstrengthinacertainarea,suchasthe
negativeargumentlackingstrengthfromalogosstandpoint.Byusingthequalifiermostwe
wereabletoavoidsayingwithabsolutionthatgettingaprenupshouldbeutilizedforall
marriagesfortheaffirmativeargument,orthatnomarriagesshouldhavethemwhenlookingat
thenegativeargument.Thisisbecausewedevelopedcertainreservationsorexceptionstothe
arguments.Ourreservationswerewhatwefoundtobestrongsoundreasoningthatarethemore
profoundexceptionstotheargument.TheToulminModelprovedtobeanessentialtoolfor
mappingouttheargumentsandanalyzingthem.

10

GeneralEvaluation
Finally,wewantedtoexaminewhohadthebestargumentsoveralltobethewinner.To
dothis,wecreatedachecklistbasedonthethreeappealsofethos,pathos,andlogos.Whatwe
realizedthough,wasthatcertainaudiencespreferredcertainappeals.Thismeantthatwefirst
usedourchecklisttoanalyzetheargumentsinacompletelyneutralsenseforageneral
population,disregardingincomeanddivorcerate.Wethentookthestrengthoftheseneutral
argumentsandanalyzedhowtheywouldappealtoGreenBay,theWallStreetJournalreaders,
andfinallycollegestudentsaswell.Thisenablesustotrulyanalyzethestrengthofthe
arguments,whiledivingdeeperlaterontoexaminehowtheappealsfitwithouraudiences.
Asitcanbeseen,logosargumentsheavilyfavoredtheaffirmativeside,whilepathos
argumentsheavilyfavoredthenegativeside.Thisleftthedecidingfactortoethos,whichwas
definitelynotasclearcut.Ononehand,theaffirmativesidearguesfordoingtherightthingby
protectingtheirhardearnedassets,protectingtheirchildren,andmostimportantlyhavinga
contractcreatedbythelawwhichisbasedonethicsandfairnessitself.Aproblempresentedby
thenegativesideisthatsomereligionsdontbelieveinseparationandthereforethiscontract
wouldbechallengingcertainpeoplesvalues.Thenegativesidealsopointstotheissueofa
judgedecidingthevalidityofthecontract,whenajudgemaynothaveenoughofthedetailsor
backgroundtomakeaproperdecision.
Inmanyregards,thegroupdecidedthattheaffirmativeargumentthatprenuptial
agreementswerecreatedtoensurefairnessandjusticewasenoughtoputitoverthetopofthe
negativearguments,whereonecouldhavestrongercounterarguments.Oneofthesecounter
argumentsisthattheUnitedStatesiscomposedofmorethanonereligionandthatjudgesare

11

involvedtoeliminatebiasandensurethatthecontractisnotlopsidedevenafteralawyerfor
eachsidehasalreadyassistedincreatingtheoriginalcontracttosafeguardthecredibilityofthe
contract.
Severalmoreargumentsthataddedtotheaffirmativesidesstrengthincludedtheideathat
everycontractvariesincertainaspects,thereforeitishardtomakeastrongargumentagainst
prenuptialagreementsasawhole.Addinthefactthatyoucantailorthecontractstotheworries
andneedsofthecouplewhetheritbethetermsordurationandtheaffirmativesidehasavery
strongshieldtodeflectnegativearguments.Thisleadtotheaffirmativesidecoveringallofits
basesandmeetingtheburdenofproofforthemostpart.Theproblemstillremainedthat
althoughtheaffirmativesidehadstrongarguments,itdidnotalwaysappealtocertainaudiences,
whichmaybewhyprenuptialagreementsareusedsominimallyacrossthecountry.
Wethenanalyzedwaysinwhichthenegativesidecouldimproveitsargumentsthrougha
neutrallens.First,weencouragethenegativepartytocontinuetoemphasizeitsverystrong
emotionalappeal,especiallywhenthesubjectinthiscaseisregardingrelationships.The
problemisthatthenegativesideisrelyingononestick,makingitmorepronetobekickedout
fromunderitsfeetinanargument.Thenegativeargumentscouldcertainlyemphasizelogosto
lessentheimpactoftheaffirmativeargumentsstronglogosappeal,ortheycouldtryto
strengthentheirethosargumentsandfindstrongercounterargumentsthatattackanyofthe
affirmativeargumentsweaknessesintheethosappeal.Secondly,thenegativepartyneedsto
significantlyreduceitsfallacies.Someofthestrongestargumentswerankedforthenegative
partyeithergeneralizedwhataprenuptialagreementisoritfocusedonafalsedilemmawhere
theyinstillthemindsetthatapersoneithervaluesemotionsanddoesntgetaprenuptial

12

agreementorapersondisregardstheemotionsofarelationshipandgetsaprenuptialagreement.
Agreatstrengthoftheaffirmativesidethatthenegativesidemissesisthatprenuptialagreements
arguethattheygobeyondtheblackandwhiteandchoosetoenteragrayareaoffairnesswhere
couplescanchoosecertainaspectsoftheagreementtheyarecomfortablewith.Onelastaddition
isthatthenegativesidecangreatlystrengthenitsargumentsiftheycanfindawaytomodify
theirethosargumentsregardingequalityandwhatisethical.

GreenBayEvaluation
Tobuildoffofourneutralarguments,wethenexaminedourfirstaudience,GreenBay.
GreenBayisuniqueinthefactthatitsdivorcerateisat11.6%asof2014,whichissubstantially
lessthanthecurrentUnitedStatesdivorcerateof46%.TheaveragehouseholdincomeinGreen
Bayis$42,584,whichisalsobelowthecurrentUnitedStatesaverageofroughly$50,000.This
isveryimportanttotakeintoaccountconsideringthefactthatprenuptialagreementsaremainly
consideredbecauseoffinancialsituationsalongwiththechanceofdivorce.Withthedivorcerate
andfinancialsituationslowerinGreenBay,thelogosargumentsinbothareasareweakened
significantlyduetothefactthatthecurrentpopulationwouldnotfindsuchargumentsas
appealinggiventhestatisticsrelevanttotheirareaandvalues.Ethosisanargumentthatis
widelydebatabledependingonademographicsvalues,makingitmoreofaneutralappealgiven
differentperspectivesoncredibilityandreligions.Whenmentioningethos,itisimportantto
examinethefactthat67%ofGreenBaycitizensaffiliatethemselveswithareligioncomparedto
the48%averageintheUnitedStates.Thismeansthatargumentsaboutreligionand
nonseparation,whichfavorthenegativeside,aremuchstrongerthantheaffirmativearguments

13

regardinglaw,justice,andjudges.Finally,thepathosargumentswillbeveryappealingbasedon
ouranalysisduetothelowerdivorcerateandhighreligiousaffiliation.Basedonour
examination,theGreenBaypopulationvaluesrelationships,commitment,andtrust.Theseall
favorthenegativeappealsofpathoscomparedtothatoflogos.Overall,thisanalysisleadstoour
decisionofnamingthenegativeargumentsthewinnerintheGreenBayarea.Thepathosand
ethosappealsareverystrongforthenegativeside,whilethelogosislargelyweakeneddue
GreenBayslowerincome,divorcerate,andhigherreligiousaffiliation.

WallStreetEvaluation
MovingpastGreenBay,wethenexaminedTheWallStreetJournalreaders,whichisan
audiencethatisverydifferentfromGreenBays.Tostart,TheWallStreetJournalhasa
significantlywealthierdemographic,withanaveragehouseholdincomeof$248,000.Thismeans
thatthelogosargumentofprotectingfinancialassetsbecomesveryappealingtothisaudience.
Withanaverageageof45,itisimportanttorealizethatthereadersmayhavealreadybeen
throughadivorce,makingitlikelythattheywanttoprotecttheirassets.Withthisageitisalso
importanttorealizethatreadersmayusethesunsetclausetomakesurethattheirmarriageis
stableforafewyearsiftheyarelookingtomarryatalaterage.Possiblymoreimportantisthe
factthat86.6ofreadershiparecollegegraduates,meaningthattheymayuselogicandtheethics
oflawmoreoftenthanusingemotionsintheirdecisions.Itisclearthattheaffirmative
argumentswouldappealandwinwithTheWallStreetJournalaudienceduetotheirfinancial
assets,collegeeducation,andage.Withanaudiencethatthinksmorelogicallyandmakesfar
moremoneythanmuchofthepopulation,thestronglogosappealswillstronglyfavorthe

14

affirmativeside.Theethosappealsoftheaffirmativesidewillmostlikelyappealmoretothis
audienceaswell,consideringthattheyhaveworkedhardforwhattheyhaveearnedandmost
likelyfeelasthoughitisonlyfairtheykeepwhattheyhaveearned.Theethosargumentonly
strengthenswhenoneexaminesthatprenuptialagreementsarecreatedforfairnessandjusticeby
thelawtoprotectademographicjustlikethatofTheWallStreetJournal.

CollegeEvaluation
Finally,ourgroupanalyzedanaudiencethatweareveryfamiliarwith,collegestudents.
Althoughtherewasgreatfamiliaritywithacollegeaudience,itwasdifficulttoconductan
analysisthatgaveaclearcutanswerintermsofawinner.Thisisanaudiencewhereamajority
ofthepopulationisnotmarried,butwheremarriagewillcomeinthenearfutureaftercollege,
makingitveryrelevanttoexamine.Thisaudiencewillalsohaveadegreeaftertheireducationis
completed,meaningthatlogosmayappealmoretothisaudiencealongwiththefactthatthey
willmostlikelymakeaconsistentincomeandhavejobsecuritythroughouttheirlifetime.
Dependingonthehistoryofarelationshipleadinguptoamarriage,collegestudentsmayhave
differentlevelsoftrust,butthatdoesnteliminatethefactthatstatisticallytheyoungeracouple
is,thehigherthechanceofdivorce.Thismeansthataprenuptialagreementwithatleastasunset
clausewouldmakesense,buttheproblemthatoccursiswhethertheaudienceisawareofthe
factthatprenuptialagreementscanhavesunsetclauseswheretheybecomeinvalidafteran
agreeduponamountoftime.Therealsoistheproblemthatmanycollegestudents,whilewell
educated,maynotbeawarethataprenuptialagreementisrightforthem.Thisgoesbackto
makingaudiencesrealizesomeofthefallaciesthatthenegativesidepresents.Asagroupof

15

collegestudents,wewereneverawareofthebenefitsofprenuptialagreements,butoncewe
wentthroughtheanalysisandarguments,allofuswereconvincedthatprenuptialagreementsare
somethingwewillallconsiderinthefuture.Thismeansthatifallcollegestudentswere
presentedtheproperargumentsandeducatedthoroughly,thentheaffirmativesideisthewinner.
Ifcollegestudentsdonotbecomethoroughlyeducatedontheargumentsfororagainstprenuptial
agreements,wewouldtendtoconcludethatthenegativeargumentswillwinduetothedifficulty
ofhavingbothpartiesofarelationshipunderstandthebenefitsofaprenuptialagreementatthe
riskofalsohurtingtrustinanewlyestablishedmarriage.Whilelogoscertainlyplaysastrong
rolewiththisaudience,therearemanydifferentfactorsimpactingtheminsuchanappeal.In
termsofethos,itishardtodeterminethevaluesthatacollegeaudienceplaces,whetherthey
tendtoerronthesideoflaw,religion,orthebasisofcommitmentoverall.Finally,pathosmay
beverystronginthisaudienceduetothefactthattherelationshipisyoungandmostlikely
strongbeforeamarriageoccurs,whichiswhyaproposaltakesplace.Overall,thereisnoclear
cutwinneramongacollegeaudienceduetodiversesetofappealsdependingonthecouple,but
iftheaudienceisproperlyeducatedonprenuptialagreements,theaffirmativesidewins.Ifa
coupleismoreconcernedwithestablishingtheemotionsofayoungmarriagealongwithless
educationonprenuptialagreements,thenthenegativesidewilltendtowin.

SoWhat?
1.

Wewillremoveourpersonalbiasesandtakeintoaccounteveryperspective.Whenyou

oryourgroupcandothis,youwillfindclarityinwhichsidehasastrongerargumentbase.

16

2.

Itisimportantthatwedonotjusttakeargumentsatfacevalueandlookatthemthrough

ablackandwhitelens.Thegrayiswherethegoldlays.
3.

Whenanalyzingarguments,analyzetheminagenerallensandthenmovetowardsthe

appealsthatarerelevanttoyouraudiences.
4.

Utilizingethos,pathos,andlogoswillprovidetheproperbuildingblocksforathorough

argumentanalysis.
5.

Donotunderestimatethepowerofthetoulminmodel.Thetoulminmodelcanhelp

examinethestrengthsandweaknessesofarguments.Oncetheargumentsareexamined,itcan
weaknessesaremoreapparentsuchasfallaciesoroverallweakconnectionsinthearguments.
6.

Finally,itisimportanttoalwaysbuildoffoftheargumentanalysistoseeifthereisan

actualneedandifso,whethertheaffirmativepartyhasaproperremedyandargumentthat
meetstheburdenofproof.

ContinuousImprovements
Followingourgroupspresentationtotheclass,ProfessorClampittandtheclass
providedadditionalfeedbackthathelpedformourcase.Asagroup,weconcludedonseveral
aspectsofourpresentationthatneededfurtherimprovement,andwecollectivelypresentthemin
thispaper.
First,asnotedinthequestionandanswersectionofourpresentation,ourgrouphadto
delvedeeperintoouraudienceanalysisportion,aswedidnotresearchtheWallStreetJournal
audienceandtheGreenBayaudiencesufficiently.Tofurtherimprove,ourgroupfurther
investigatedtheaudienceswhomayreadtheWallStreetJournalarticle,andtheirvarious

17

perspectives.Wethenoutlinedthissubjectintheaudienceanalysisandwinningandlosing
argumentsections.
Additionally,sinceprenuptialagreementsarerelativelyuncommonandmaynotbe
widelyunderstoodbyouraudience,weaddedanintroductionsectiontobrieflyexplaintheuses
ofprenuptialagreementsandtheirnature.Beingontheaffirmativesideoftheargument,
prenuptialagreementsareusedbyonly3percentofengagedormarriedcouples,andmaynot
haveagreatinfluenceonourparticularaudience.
AccordingtoProfessorClampittsfeedback,byfurtherevaluatingouraudiences,andby
evaluatingeachaudiencesperceptionoftheissue,wecangainabetterunderstandingofhow
theseargumentswereperceivedbyeachparticularaudience.Asnotedinthewinnerandloser
sections,eachaudiencecanperceiveaspecificissuedifferently.Uponfurtherevaluatingeach
audience,weconcludedthateachargumenttype(ethos,pathos,andlogos)wereperceived
differentlybyeachaudience.Therefore,thereismorethanonewinnerforthisargument.
Overall,ourgroupfeltthatanalyzingvariousargumentssurroundingtheprenuptial
agreementcasehelpedusanalyzekeyconceptsthatwelearnedinclass.Inthisinstance,we
foundthetoulminandNRDdmodelstohelpbreakdownourcaseandfurtherimproveour
intellectualdevelopmentinfuturescenarios.Dissectingeachfigmentoftheargumentand
figuringoutexactlyhoweachappealhasstrengthorweaknesswasextremelyhelpfultousinour
developmentofthisargument.
Conclusion
Inconclusion,eventhoughobtainingaprenuptialagreementwaschosenasthewinning
argument,theyarestilllesscommoninsocietyoverall.Withinallofouraudiences,themajority

18

ofthepopulationchosenottogetaprenuptialagreement.Thisismostprominentlyduetothe
relationshipissuesthatthetopiccancause.Itcouldalsobeduetothefactthatmanycommon
peopleareunawareofwhataprenuptialagreementactuallyisandthebenefitsthatitprovides.
Whenlookingattheethos,pathos,andlogosargumentsforboththenegativeandaffirmative
sidesoftheissue,weinitiallyconcludedthattheargumentsfortheaffirmativesidewerestronger
thanthoseforthenegativeside.However,afterreevaluatingtheaudiencesreceivingthe
argumentwewereabletofindthatthereismorethanonewinnerforthisargument.We
concludedthatobtainingaprenuptialagreementbeforemarriagewasthestrongerofthetwo
argumentswhenappealingtotheWallStreetJournalaudience,especiallyfromalogos
standpoint.WhengivingthisargumenttotheGreenBayaudience,thenegativeargumentis
stronger,asthestrongpathosappealiscenteredclosertothisaudience'svalues.Fromdoingthis
projectweunderstandbetterhowtoapproachanargumentandwhatmakesanargumentstronger
incomparisontoanotherwhenappealingtoanaudience.Thisisanessentialskilltohaveand
willhelpinanalyzingvariousargumentsinthefuture.

AppendixI
Anderson,G.(2011).4thingseveryoneshouldknowbeforesigningaprenuptialagreement.
Investigatinganswers.Retrievedfrom
http://www.investinganswers.com/personalfinance/smartconsumer/4thingseveryones
houldknowsigningprenuptialagreement2732
Bahr,C.(n.d.)Toprenupornottoprenup.Womensinstituteforfinancialeducation.Retrieved
fromhttp://www.wife.org/money_family_prenupornotprenup.htm

19

Castillo,A.(2016).PrenuptialagreementsinWisconsin.Divorcenet.Retrievedfrom
http://www.divorcenet.com/resources/prenuptialagreementswisconsin.html
Demographics(n.d).RetrievedFebruary21,2016fromPDF
http://www.megamediamarketing.com/demographics.html
Mahar,H.(2003).Whyaretheresofewprenuptialagreements?HarvardlawschoolJohnM.
Olincenterforlaw,economics,andbusinessdiscussionpaperseries,436.Retrieved
from.http://lsr.nellco.org/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1224&context=harvard_olin&seire
dir=1&referer=https%3A%2F%2Fscholar.google.com%2Fscholar%3Fhl%3Den%26q%3
Dprenuptial%2Bagreements%26btnG%3D%26as_sdt%3D1%252C50%26as_sdtp%3D#s
earch=%22prenuptial%20agreements%22
Morley,J.(n.d)Prenupsaroundtheworld.Internationalfamilylawfirm.Retrievedfrom
http://www.internationaldivorce.com/prenups_around_the_world.htm
Stritof,S.(2016).Historyofprenuptialagreements.Aboutrelationships.Retrievedfrom
http://marriage.about.com/od/agreements/qt/prenuphistory.html
AppendixII
NRDdModel
Need

Protectthefairnessofamarriageincluding
theassetsinvolved

Remedy

Signaprenuptialagreementtoensurefairness

Disadvantages

Theideaofprenuptialagreementscancause
variousrelationshipissues

Devil

Trustissues,money

ToulminModels
20

Negativearguments

1. Gettingaprenupharmsarelationshipbecauseitshowsissuesoftrust.
2. Prenupsprotectminimalassetsandarenotalwaysthefinalword.

21

3. Evenifyousignaprenuptialagreement,ifyoutaketheagreementtocourt,its
uptoajudgetodecidethevalidityandreasonablenessofeveryclause.
4. Prenuptialagreementsdonotadheretoallreligiousbeliefs.
5.Prenuptialagreementscanbeconsideredcoercive,
6.Prenuptialagreementsareoftenconsideredonesided,asoneindividualtypicallygetsthe
betterendofthedeal.
7.Aprenuptialagreementisacontractandthereforeitissubjecttochangeifcertain
situationschange,whichismostlikelyduetothefactthatthesituationacoupleisinatthe
presentwillcertainlynotbethesamesituationacoupleisatin5,10,or15years.
8.Somesortofmoneyhastogotoyourspouseorchildreninmanycases,meaningafter
thedivorceyoustillcomeoutwithlossesofmoney.
9.Ajudgesopinionplaysaverylargeroleinhowyourprenuptialagreementcanbeshaped
orworded,meaningbothpartiesmaynotevenfullybelieveinthecontractfromthestartand
onemaybeupsetwhentheagreementisenforced.
10.Aprenupcanbereversedifonespousewasunderhighstresswhenaskedto
sign/negotiateone.Forexample,theinvitationsaresentoutalreadyandthenonespouseasks
foronetobemadeup,theotherspousemayfeelpressuredintodoinganythingtoavoidthe
cancellationoftheweddingtosavefaceorembarrassment.

Affirmativearguments

1. Everymarriageshouldrequireaprenuptomakeitpartofthelegalprocessandremove
theissuesregardinghurtfeelings
2. Aprenupcandictatenotonlywhathappensifthepartiesdivorce,butwhenthey

die.
3. Prenupsmayincludetermsfortheforfeitureofassetsasaresultofdivorceon
thegroundsofadultery.(Ifthecontractofmarriage,faithfulness,isbreached,
assetsofthespousewhoischeatedonshouldnotbesplitwiththeotherspouse)
4. Apremaritalagreementcanprotecttheinheritancerightsofchildrenand
grandchildrenfromapreviousmarriage.(whyshouldthechildrenhavetogiveup
anyinheritance,theyarenoteveninvolvedinthedivorce)
5. Ifyouhaveyourownbusinessorprofessionalpractice,apremaritalagreement
canprotectthatinterestsothatthebusinessorpracticeisnotdividedand
subjecttothecontrolofyourformerspouseupondivorce.
6. Ifonespousehassignificantlymoredebtthantheother,apremaritalagreement
canprotectthedebtfreespousefromhavingtoassumetheobligationsofthe
other.
7.Aprenuptialagreementsurfacesanylegalordebtbothpartnersmayhave
obtained,otherwisethisinformationmayhavenotbeendisclosedpriortomarriage.
8.Aprenuptialagreementspeedsupthedivorceprocess,incaseofaserious
divorce.
22

9.Aprenuptialagreementcanhelpabusinessownerretaintheirbusinessinthe
eventofadivorce.
10.Aprenuptialagreementhastheabilitytoreduceconflictduetothefactthatthe
contractislegallybindingandanagreementhasalreadybeenmadeoncertain
issues.
11.Onthepositiveside,aprenupisbasicallyawaytohandlefinancialmattersintheway
bothpartiesagreedtoratherthanthestatemakingthedecisions.

100Facts

1.
Prenupsareoftenmoreimportantinsecondmarriagesthaninfirst
2.
Protectsbothpartiesfinancialinterests
3.
Alsoprovideprotectionforyourchildrenandanyfutureassetstheymayhave
4.
Prenupsarecrucialifoneofyouownsabusiness,patent,ortrademark
5.
Eachpartnerneedstheirownattorney
6.
Prenupsstandupincourtaslongasbothwerehonestaboutassets/liabilities
7.
Besttosignagreement1monthbeforeweddingsothatitdoesnotappearyouwere
underduress
8.
Avoidslengthyorexpensivelegaldisputes
9.
Allassetsareaccountedforandknowwheretheywillendupintheeventofdivorceor
death
10.
Recommendedifoneorbothbringsalotofdebttomarriage
11.
Alsorecommendedifoneorbothownspropertypriortothemarriage
12.
Recommendedforthosewhoareremarryingandhavechildren
13.
Prenupcantresultinleavingonespousewithnotenoughmeanstogetby(inWI)
14.
Childcustodycantbedecidedinadvancewithaprenup
15.
Prenupsareuselessforchildsupport/custody,butyoucanputtheminthereandabide
bythem.Ifyougotocourt,afamilyjudgewilllikelyruleitoutthough.
16.
Agreementhastobeinwritingandsignedbybothpartiestobevalid
17.
Bothpartieshavetosignbeforebecomingmarried,goesintoeffectaftermarriage
18.
Documentisnotvalidifonespousewaspressuredintoit
19.
Prenupscanberevisedbybothpartiesaftertheyaremarried
20.
Notjustforthewealthy,protecteveryoneinvolved
21.
Ivedonecheatingclauseswhicharebilateral,meaningthereisapenaltyifthe
moniedspousecheats(e.g.anincreaseinthedistributiveawardpayabletothenon
moniedspouseby50%)andifthenonmoniedspousecheats(e.g.adecreaseinthe
distributiveawardpayabletothenonmoniedspouseby50%),NewYorkAttorney
CarolineKraussBrowneonForbes
22.
Detailsinwhatfinancialresponsibilitieseachspousehasinamarriagecanbeincluded
inaprenupbutnotpersonalmatterslikechoresorwherepeoplewillspendholidays,
etc.
23.
Childsupportorchildcustodyissuesarenotallowedinaprenupagreement.

23

24.
25.

26.
27.

28.

29.

30.
31.
32.

33.
34.

35.
36.
37.
38.
39.
40.
41.
42.
43.
44.
45.

Onthepositiveside,aprenupisbasicallyawaytohandlefinancialmattersintheway
bothpartiesagreedtoratherthanthestatemakingthedecisions.
Inthelate1800s,lessthan5percentofmarriagesendedindivorcewhileabout40%of
themarriagestodayendindivorcewithinfifteenyearsaccordingtotheNationalCenter
forHealthStatistics
Prenupscanprotectspousesfromeachothersdebtsaswellaspersonalassets,
liabilitiesorproperties,andchildrenfrompreviousmarriages.
Aprenupcanbereversedifonespousewasunderhighstresswhenaskedto
sign/negotiateone.Forexample,theinvitationsaresentoutalreadyandthenone
spouseasksforonetobemadeup,theotherspousemayfeelpressuredintodoing
anythingtoavoidthecancellationoftheweddingtosavefaceorembarrassment.
InWisconsin,premaritalagreementscantlimitorcaptheamountofchildsupportthat
oneparentwouldhavetopaytotheotherintheeventofadivorce,separation,or
changeinchildcustody.
Theagreementdoesnothavetobesupportedbyconsideration.Considerationis
somethingofvaluethateachpartygivestotheotherasashowofsupportforthe
marriagecontract.
TheprenupisunenforceablewhenEitherorbothspousesfailedtoprovidetheother
spousewithfullandfairdisclosureaboutthespousesassetsandliability.
Eachspouseneedstheirownattorney
Afterthepartiesaremarried,theycanrevisetheprenuptialagreementanditwillbe
calledapostnuptialagreement.Bothpartiessimplyhavetoagreetothechanges,and
thenewagreementmustbeinwriting.
InordertodivideassetsinaWisconsindivorce,animportantdistinctionmustbemade
betweenseparateandmaritalproperty.
Separatepropertyisnotsubjecttodivision,whichmeansthatspousesgettokeeptheir
separatepropertyafterdivorce.Separatepropertyincludes,butisnotlimitedto,the
following:
giftsreceivedfromapersonotherthanthespouse
aninheritance
anypropertyownedbyeitherspousepriortothemarriage,and
propertyreceivedafterseparation.
maritalpropertyissubjecttodivisionbetweenspousesinadivorce.Thisincludesall
propertyacquiredbyoneorbothspousesduringthemarriage,usingmaritalfunds.
Wisconsincourtsfavoranequaldivisionofmaritalproperty.However,acourtmay
deviatefromanequaldistributionofassetsafterconsideringseveralfactors,including:
thelengthofthemarriage
thepropertyeachspousebroughtintothemarriage
whethereitherspousehassubstantialassetsnotsubjecttodivisionbythecourt(e.g.,
substantialseparateproperty,suchasalargeinheritance)
thespousesagesandphysicalandemotionalhealth
eachspousescontributionstothemarriage,givingappropriateeconomicvaluetoany
homemakingandchildcareserviceseitherspouseprovidedduringthemarriage,and

24

46.
47.

48.

49.

50.

51.
52.
53.
54.
55.
56.
57.
58.
59.
60.
61.
62.
63.
64.

65.
66.
67.

eachspousesearningcapacity(theabilitytoearnincomebasedoneducation,job
historyandskills,andlocalemploymentopportunities).
Acourtmayawardalltheequityinthemaritalhometoaspousethathasalowfuture
earningcapacitybecauseheorshegaveupeducation,training,oracareertosupport
theotherspousespursuitofhighereducationand/orcareeradvancement.
Acourtmayawardofallthedebtrelatedtoonespousesbusiness,suchasaveterinary
clinic,wheretheotherspouselackstheeducationnecessarytorunthebusinessand
workedfortheveterinarianspouseattheclinicthroughoutthemarriage.
WisconsinisoneofseveralstatesthathasenactedtheUniformPremaritalAgreement
Act.Thismeansifavalidprenuptialagreement(signedbybothspouses)awardscertain
propertysolelytoonespouse,thatpropertyisnolongermaritalandisnotsubjectto
divisionbythecourtupondivorce.
Duringadivorce,spousescanagreetoditchtheirprenupandenterintotermsthatare
differentthanthosecontainedintheirpremaritalagreement.Ifso,theywillneedto
includethesenewtermsinamaritalsettlementagreement(orpropertysettlement
agreement)aspartoftheirdivorce.
Awellwrittenprenupcanoverridecommunitypropertylaws.
Prenupsareoftendraftedthroughanattorneyorlawyer.
Prenupsareusedinaccordancetodivorcesanddeathsbetweenspouses.
Aprenupcannotdisputeornegatechildsupportpayments.
Aprenupprovidecustodyforunbornchildren.
Aprenupcannotbeusedtopromoteadivorce,Icangetadivorceifyouhaveanaffair.
AccordingtoUSAToday,onlyabout3%ofamericanshaveaprenupoftheirown.
4050%ofmarriagesintheUnitedStatesendindivorce.
Prenupsareavailableinbothtraditionalandsamesexmarriages.
PrenuptialagreementsdatebacktoancientEgypt.
EdwardIV(KingofEngland)reportedlyhadaprenuptialagreementwithEleanorButler
around1461.
ElizabethOglethorperequiredGeneralJamesEdwardOglethorpetosignaprenuptial
agreementpriortotheirmarriagein1744.
Prenupswerepreviouslyclassifiedasdowries,andwerecommonlymentionedin17th
centuryliteratureasanecessity.
KhloeKardashianandLamarOdomhadaprenupsignedpriortotheirmarriage,
Kardashianwouldreceive$25,000permonthinspousalsupportforhalfofthelengthof
themarriage.
AlsolistedintheKardashianOdomprenup,Kardashianmadesureherandherfamily
hadlifetimepassestoLosAngelesLakersgamesRealclassyKhloe.
CelebritiesJayZandBeyoncesignedaprenuppriortotheirmarriage.Although,their
prenupdependsonwhetherthedivorceisworkedoutinafriendly,cooperativemanner.
DallasCowboysquarterbackTonyRomoreportedlyrequestedaclausewithJessica
SimpsoninwhichtheclauseprotectsRomofromhavingawifeabove135pounds.In
suchcase,Romowouldreceive$500,000foreverypoundshegained.Needlesstosay,
theydidntgetmarried.

25

68.
69.
70.

71.

72.
73.

74.
75.
76.
77.
78.
79.
80.
81.
82.

83.
84.

85.
86.

87.

ComedianRosanneBarrfiredherlawyerwhenhesuggestedaprenuptialagreementbe
madepriortohermarriagetoTonyArnold.
CelebritiesKeithUrbanandNicoleKidmansignedaprenuppriortotheirmarriage.
Prenuptialagreements,knownas"bindingfinancialagreements,"firstbecame
enforceableinAustraliain2000withtheenactmentoftheFamilyLawAmendmentAct
2000
PrenuptialagreementsarenotenforceableintheBahamasbutcourtsmighttakethem
intoaccountindeterminingtheintentionoftheparties.Ingeneral,theBahamaswill
followtheEnglishapproach.
Prenuptialagreementsarerecognizedarerecognizedinall50statesintheUnited
States.
Inmoststates,fiveelementsarerequiredforavalidprenuptialagreement:the
agreementmustbeinwriting,thecontractmustbeexecutedvoluntarily,thecontract
musthavefulland/orfairdisclosureatthetimeofexecution,theagreementcannotbe
unconscionable,andthecontractmustbeexecutedbybothparties,typicallybeforea
notarypublic.
Prenuptialagreementsarenotallowedtoregulateissuesrelatingtothechildrenofthe
marriage,inparticular,childcustodyandaccessoftheminorchildren.
Prenupsprotectminimalassetsandarenotalwaysthefinalword.
Asunsetprovisionmaybeinsertedintoaprenuptialagreement,specifyingthataftera
certainamountoftime,theagreementwillexpire.
Aprenupcandictatenotonlywhathappensifthepartiesdivorce,butwhentheydie.
whenyoukeepfinancialsecretsfromtheotherparty,theprenupmaybeunenforceable.
Aprenupcanbeinvalidiftheotherpartyisnotrepresentedbyanattorney.
Eachstatevariesintheirlawsandtheirenforcementofsaidcontracts.
Prenupsmayincludetermsfortheforfeitureofassetsasaresultofdivorceonthe
groundsofadultery
Manyprenupsbeginwithatypicalagreementthatisquiteharsh.Itprovidesthateach
partyspastandfutureassetsandincomebelongtothatparty,exceptforproperty
intentionallyheldjointly.
Apremaritalagreementcanprotecttheinheritancerightsofchildrenandgrandchildren
fromapreviousmarriage.
Ifyouhaveyourownbusinessorprofessionalpractice,apremaritalagreementcan
protectthatinterestsothatthebusinessorpracticeisnotdividedandsubjecttothe
controlofyourformerspouseupondivorce.
Ifonespousehassignificantlymoredebtthantheother,apremaritalagreementcan
protectthedebtfreespousefromhavingtoassumetheobligationsoftheother.
Ifyoucontributetothecontinuingsuccessandgrowthofyourspouse'sbusinessor
professionalpracticebyentertainingclientsortakingcareofthehome,youmaynotbe
entitledtoclaimashareoftheincreaseinvalueifyouagreeotherwiseinapremarital
agreement.
Theyareoftenunevenlymatchedinbargainingpower.Thepossibility,therefore,that
onepartymayoverreachtheotherisgreaterthaninthecaseofordinarycontracts.

26

88.

Tobeupheld,premaritalagreementsmustsatisfylocaltestsofproceduraland
substantivefairness.
89.
Evenifyousignaprenuptialagreement,ifyoutaketheagreementtocourt,itsuptoa
judgetodecidethevalidityandreasonablenessofeveryclause.
90.
Coupleshavebeguntoaddsocialmediaclausestotheircontracts.itgivescouplesthe
chancetodictatewhatcanandcannotbesaidonsocialsitessuchasTwitter,
Facebook,Instagram,personalblogs,companywebsites
91.
Someprenuptialagreementsdissolveafter10years,orwheneverthecoupledecides.
Oneoftheprosofprenuptialagreementsisthatyouhavethepowertoatleastsuggest
thatcertainclausesbeadded,suchasthedissolutionoftheagreementifyourestill
happilymarriedinfive,ten,ormoreyears.
92.
Only510%ofmarryingAmericansgetprenuptialagreements.(Harvard)
93.
62%ofthosesurveyedthoughtthatrequestingaprenuptialagreementsendsanegative
signalaboutthefutureofthemarriage.(Harvard)
94.
Divorcerate:3.6per1,000peopleinapopulation.(CDC)
95.
63%ofdivorceattorneyssaythattheyhaveseenanincreaseinprenuptialagreements
inthelastthreeyears.(Brandongaille)
96.
Only5%ofdivorcesthatoccurintheUnitedStateshaveaprenuptialagreementin
placethathelptodictatetheproceedings.(Brandongaille)
97.
62%%ofpeopleinarecentsurveysaythattherequestforaprenuptialagreement
sendsanegativesignaltotheotherpersonwhohasntrequestedit.
98.
63%ofpeoplebelievethattheywouldbeatahigherriskofdivorceiftheirpartnerasked
themforaprenuptialagreement.
99.
50%oflawstudentsbelievethataprenuptialwouldincreasetheirchancesof
experiencingadivorcelateroninmarriage.
100.15%ofdivorcedpeoplesaidtheyregrettednothavingone.(huffpost)
101.1.5%ofmarriagelicenseapplicantswouldconsiderhavingaprenuptialagreement.
102. Assumingcurrentratesofmaritaldisruption,about50percentoffirstmarriagesformen
underage45mayendindivorce,andbetween44and52percentofwomensfirst
marriagesmayendindivorceforthese[sic]agegroup.
103.Althoughrespondentsrecognizedthatthenationalrateofdivorcewasaround50%,they
believedthattheirownchanceofdivorcewasonly11.7%.(Harvard)
104.Currentlyeverystatepermitsnofaultdivorce,andallbutthreestatesallowthedecision
todivorceonesspousetobeunilateral.Onlythreestates(Mississippi,NewYork,and
Tennessee)restrictnofaultdivorcetocasesinvolvingspousalagreement.
105.Asacorollarytotheliberalizationofdivorcelaw,alimonyawardshavebeenallbut
eliminated.USCensusdataindicatesthatonly14.6%(2.8million)ofthe19.16million
everdivorcedorcurrentlyseparatedwomenwereawardedorhadanagreementto
receivealimony.(1989)
106. 151outofthe270,or55.9%,oftherespondentsfromthegeneralpopulationbelieved
thattheyhada0%chanceofdivorce.SeeTable1.Furthermore,22outof91,or24.2%,
ofthelawstudentsestimatedtheirchanceofdivorceas0%.

27

107.

108.

109.

110.

111.

BramlettandMoshernotethatafter10years,awomanwithmorethanahighschool
educationhasa29%chanceofdivorcewhileawomanwithahighschooleducationor
lesshasa42%chanceofdivorce.
Theresultsforthegeneralpopulationandthelawstudentlawstudentpopulationwere
similar.Arespondentfromthegeneralpopulationwhodoesnotbelievethatrequestinga
prenuptialagreementsendsanegativesignalis38.06%lesslikelytorequestonewith
99.9%significance.Alawstudentwhobelievesthatprenuptialagreementssenda
negativesignalis33.03%likelytorequestsuchanagreementwith99.9%significance.
Arespondentwithaverageoptimismbiaswhodoesnotbelievethatprenuptial
agreementssendanegativesignalwillrequestaprenuptialagreementin40.6716%of
thecases.
Forlawstudents,respondentswhobelievedtheywouldenterthemarriagewithmore
assetsthantheirspousewere21.34percentagepointsmorelikelytorequesta
prenuptialagreement,whichwassignificantatthe95%level.
Themoreoptimisticanindividualisregardinghisorherchanceofdivorce,thelesslikely
itisthattheindividualwillconsiderrequestingaprenuptialagreement.Furthermore,an
individualwhobelievesthatprenuptialagreementssendanegativesignalwillbeless
likelytoaskhisorherpartnertosignsuchanagreement.

28