A Divorce Attorney’s Guide to Staying Together... and Not Going Broke

Divorce attorney James Sexton has a theory: the smartest thing you can do before you get married is think like someone whose job is ending marriages. Today, James joins Nicole for part one of a two-part conversation, sharing what you need to know before you say "I do." Make sure you're subscribed to Money Rehab so you don't miss part two in a few weeks, where they get into what you need to know before you get divorced.

James unpacks why every couple needs a prenup, and shares the wildest prenup clause he's ever seen. He also gets into what actually makes fidelity and sex clauses hold up in court, and why most DIY prenups fall apart long before they're ever tested.

Then Nicole and James zoom out to the stuff that can predict divorce long before anyone hires a lawyer: the small, unsexy daily habits that keep a relationship alive, and the financial fights that are never really about the money. Plus, James explains why he thinks couples should see a divorce attorney before they get married, and as weird as it sounds… we agree.

Start investing investing at SoFi.com/MNN

Check out Nicole's financial literacy course ⁠The Money School⁠

Find a Financial Advisor or Financial Coach from Nicole's company ⁠Private Wealth Collective⁠

Watch video clips from the pod on ⁠Money Rehab's Instagram⁠ and ⁠Nicole Lapin's Instagram⁠

Learn more about James Sexton and his work

Here's what Nicole covers with James:

00:00 Are You Ready for Some Money Rehab?

03:13 Why James Chose Divorce Law (Not the Money)

06:06 Has Divorce Law Soured James on Romance?

08:33 James's Own Marriage, Divorce, and Dating Life Now

14:23 Why You Should Talk to a Divorce Attorney Before You Marry

15:49 The Small Habits That Keep a Relationship Alive

21:16 What Actually Ends Marriages

27:28 Should Marriage Have a Higher Bar to Entry?

29:37 Is Your Prenup Actually Enforceable?

31:38 The $10,000-a-Pound Prenup Clause: A True Story

38:03 DIY Prenups and What Not to Skip

44:54 Fidelity Clauses and Sex Clauses

49:01 Do Prenups Actually Prevent Divorce?

50:41 Why the Prenup Conversation Is Secretly Romantic

53:03 The Story of the Lemons: Why Positional Bargaining Fails

57:51 The Most Toxic Financial Fights in Relationships

58:41 What Money Can (and Can't) Buy

1:00:54 Coming Up: James's Divorce Advice in Part Two

All investing involves risk, including loss of principal. This episode is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Always consult a licensed professional before making financial decisions.