Most couples in Florida still flinch a little when they hear the word “prenup.” I get it. The term has decades of baggage. It sounds cold, unromantic, and transactional. But what if we could take everything good about planning for your marriage, communication, fairness, and teamwork, and remove everything that makes people uncomfortable about a traditional prenup?

That’s exactly what a Marriage Planning Agreement does. It’s a modern, collaborative process that helps couples align emotionally and financially before they say “I do.” As a family law attorney and mediator in Daytona Beach and Orlando, I’ve seen firsthand that the strongest relationships are the ones that start with honesty, not assumptions.

If you’ve ever dismissed the idea because you thought it was “only for rich people” or “not romantic,” let’s bust a few of the most common myths I hear.

Myth #1: “Prenups are only for the rich.”

It’s true that prenuptial agreements used to be associated with wealth and celebrity marriages. But every couple, no matter their income, has financial realities, responsibilities, and dreams to plan for.

If you don’t have your own agreement, Florida’s default laws decide how your finances would be handled in the event of divorce. And those laws might not match what you believe is fair. A Marriage Planning Agreement lets you design those terms together, as a couple, rather than leaving them to chance.

Myth #2: “A prenup means you don’t trust your partner.”

This might be the biggest misconception of all. In reality, the process of creating a Marriage Planning Agreement actually builds trust. It’s about transparency, talking through expectations, financial values, and future plans before they become conflicts.

In my collaborative process, we start with emotional alignment first. Couples work with a neutral mental health professional (MHP) to learn how to have difficult conversations in a healthy way. Then a financial specialist helps organize the numbers so both partners are clear and confident.

When both people have a voice and understand the “why” behind each choice, trust deepens, not erodes.

Myth #3: “It ruins the romance.”

I’d argue it’s the opposite. Sitting down together to talk about how you’ll manage money, careers, and future dreams shows commitment at its deepest level.

Love and logistics aren’t opposites, they’re partners. Talking through these things now can prevent resentment or misunderstandings later. The couples I work with often tell me they feel closer after completing their plan, because they finally had honest conversations about topics they’d been avoiding.

Planning your marriage isn’t about fear of what could go wrong, it’s about investing in what can go right.

Myth #4: “It’s awkward or adversarial.”

That’s true if each person hires separate attorneys to negotiate a traditional prenup. But a Marriage Planning Agreement isn’t adversarial — it’s collaborative.

Instead of two sides trying to “win,” both of you sit with me (as a neutral guide) and a small team that supports open communication. We walk through emotional, financial, and practical topics step by step, calmly and respectfully.

You don’t walk away with someone else’s version of “fair.” You walk away with yours, in writing.

Myth #5: “It’s too expensive or complicated.”

The process is much simpler and more affordable than most couples expect. Think of it this way: for less than the cost of a weekend getaway, you can secure peace of mind and clarity about your shared future.

The real value isn’t the document itself, it’s the conversations that happen along the way. Those discussions become the foundation for your marriage.

If you’re already planning a wedding, a house, or a shared future, planning your marriage should be part of that same conversation.

Ready to Start the Conversation?

If you’re engaged or newly married and want to learn more about Marriage Planning Agreements, my office can help. We’ll walk you through each step of the process and tailor it to your relationship and goals.

Contact our office to schedule a consultation and learn how to plan your marriage — not your divorce.