Celebrity divorce attorney Laura Wasser and family law expert Padideh Jafari emphasize the importance of pre-marital discussions to prevent future conflicts. Both experts strongly encourage couples to discuss some key important questions before they say “I do,” specifically covering topics about finances and communication.
In this exclusive interview with CNBC Make It, divorce attorney Laura Wasser provided some priceless advice. She is best known for her work with high-profile clients Kim Kardashian, Britney Spears, and Ariana Grande. At the same time, she singled out bad communication as the number one reason couples got a divorce. They don’t talk, she said, highlighting the importance for pairs to have honest, open conversations before they tie the knot.
Supporting Wasser’s sentiments was Padideh Jafari, a veteran divorce and family law attorney. She said financial problems are the leading cause of divorce. “Finances is still one of the top three reasons why people get divorced,” Jafari noted. When it comes to discussing money, she advises couples to go further than the surface with your financial pasts. They must inquire about credit scores, previous bankruptcies, and other debts.
Counter to all of these financial factors, Jafari happily called herself “a little bit old school.” While she strongly supports family values in debates over the institution of marriage. She’s convinced that answering these questions is the first step toward a much healthier marriage partnership.
Pandkhou, a fellow attorney, similarly urges couples to address what he terms as “uncomfortable and heavy issues.” And he makes the case for putting these issues on the table, not just before getting married, but for the long haul. “These are all very uncomfortable and heavy issues,” he remarked, emphasizing that avoidance can lead to larger conflicts down the line.
He challenges couples to answer questions like if they should get a prenup. This upfront intent can avoid quarreling over assumptions and create animosity later on.
“But once you talk about it and get it out of the way, it really dispels a lot of fear and insecurity that might come up.” – Pandkhou
Both lawyers are in agreement that neglecting to speak on these crucial issues can lead to lingering friction. “If you sweep it under the rug, it just gets bigger and bigger,” Pandkhou warned.
As couples start to plan their future nuptials, they would do well to first address these four essential questions. Finally, Wasser and Jafari make a great point about the power of effective communication. Their instructions point out that financial transparency is the key to having real marital longevity.