Episode Summary: Can Planning for Divorce Actually Save Your Marriage?
Podcast: WSJ What’s News
Host: Imani Moiz, The Wall Street Journal
Guest: Kristen Sheeran, Director, Institute for Divorce Financial Analysts
Date: April 26, 2026
Overview
This episode dives into the practical, financial, and emotional considerations of planning for divorce—potentially even before tying the knot. Host Imani Moiz and guest Kristen Sheeran examine why planning for the possibility of divorce, via prenuptial or postnuptial agreements, is not just prudent but potentially marriage-strengthening. The discussion aims to bust myths and address the stigma around "divorce planning," offering insight into how proactive conversations and legal agreements can create security, clarity, and, paradoxically, healthier marriages.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Statistics & Growing Interest in Prenups
[00:21 – 01:13]
- Only 15% of couples sign prenuptial agreements, up from 3% in 2010, despite 42% of adults supporting the idea.
- Walking into marriage is described as "the biggest financial decision you will make."
"You put years of blood, sweat and tears into this relationship and it can financially decimate you. And so you need to plan for that."
— Kristen Sheeran [00:56]
Why Plan for Divorce?
[01:55 – 03:01]
- Divorce is one of the most financially devastating events; about 40% of first marriages and 60% of second marriages end in divorce.
- Planning isn't pessimistic—it's protection. Couples should align on financial goals early.
“I think that it's somewhat negligent to not also plan for the unfortunate event if that marriage goes wrong.”
— Kristen Sheeran [02:10]
Gendered Financial Impact of Divorce
[03:01 – 03:28]
- Women are disproportionately affected, often losing workforce years and retirement investment opportunities due to caregiving.
How Prenuptial Agreements Work
[03:28 – 04:34]
- Prenups are customizable legal contracts, so long as they don't violate public policy.
- Can require mediation, the involvement of financial specialists, and clearly defined division of assets or responsibilities.
“You can't put sexual favors into a prenup… But what you can put in a prenup is... here's how we're going to do it.”
— Kristen Sheeran [03:36]
- Prenups can ensure that any divorce is swift, fair, and less costly.
Don’t Prenups Kill the Romance?
[04:34 – 05:23]
- Open financial conversations can strengthen marriages, making explicit comparisons to prudent business partnerships.
"The person that you're marrying—this is your financial partner in your life journey… it can strengthen your marriage.”
— Kristen Sheeran [04:48]
What If You're Already Married? Postnuptial Agreements
[06:16 – 07:19]
- Couples can draft postnups to clarify asset division even mid-marriage.
- While custody decisions are always subject to the court, financial matters are fully fair game for contracts.
Trends & Creativity in Postnups & Second Marriages
[07:19 – 08:53]
- Postnups are on the rise, often in response to marital troubles or reconciliation.
- Clauses can specify treatment of “separate property,” provisions for stepchildren, and conditions impacting inheritance.
“If you bring certain assets to the marriage, you can designate that those assets are your separate property.”
— Kristen Sheeran [07:50]
Enforcing Transparency and Unique Clauses
[08:53 – 09:32]
- Agreements can mandate transparency (e.g., financial disclosures, even device checks), with penalties for non-compliance.
"You can force transparency… you can build in penalties if they don’t.”
— Kristen Sheeran [09:01]
What If a Partner Refuses to Sign?
[09:32 – 10:08]
- If married, no postnup is possible without mutual consent.
- Before marriage: refusal to sign a prenup is a “red flag.”
“If you're not married yet and they refuse to sign a prenuptial agreement, I don't think I would get married.”
— Kristen Sheeran [09:39]
Ensuring Agreements Are Upheld in Court
[10:08 – 10:39]
- Each party should have independent legal counsel.
- Avoid pressuring partners by signing near major life events.
The Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA) Advantage
[10:39 – 12:40]
- CDFAs provide neutrality, minimize conflict, and clarify complex financial facts.
“I think that they [CDFAs] minimize conflict. It's huge. Surprisingly easy to have very intelligent people arguing over the same set of facts and numbers.”
— Kristen Sheeran [10:51]
- Typical rates: $200–$400/hr.
- Asset tracing is becoming more complex with digital payment apps and cryptocurrencies.
Tracing Hidden Assets
[11:41 – 12:40]
- CDFAs scrutinize financial records for “holes” or questionable transfers (e.g., via Venmo or crypto wallets).
"You can call that cookies for the bake sale—it may be something completely different.”
— Kristen Sheeran [11:44]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
“Going into a marriage is the biggest financial decision that you will make in your life, and it shouldn’t be taken lightly…”
— Kristen Sheeran [00:56, 09:39]
-
“It has the potential to strengthen your marriage… you would not enter into a business relationship without an operating agreement…”
— Kristen Sheeran [04:48]
-
"I don't think I would get married" if a partner refuses a prenup.
— Kristen Sheeran [09:39]
-
On digital deception: “You can call that cookies for the bake sale—it may be something completely different."
— Kristen Sheeran [11:44]
Key Timestamps
- 00:21: Episode intro and stats on prenup usage
- 01:13: Financial devastation from divorce; necessity of planning (Kristen Sheeran)
- 03:07: How divorce disproportionately affects women
- 03:36: What’s in a prenup—and what shouldn’t be
- 04:48: Comparing marriage to a business partnership; positive effects of open negotiation
- 06:16: Options for already-married couples: postnuptial agreements
- 07:22: Creative clauses and special considerations for second marriages
- 09:01: Enforcing transparency via contractual penalties
- 09:39: What if a spouse refuses to sign a formal agreement?
- 10:14: How to ensure agreements hold up in court
- 10:51: Role of CDFAs in minimizing divorce conflict
- 11:41: Cost and complexity of financial analysis in divorce, especially with new digital tools
Conclusion
This episode reframes divorce planning as a logical, proactive step—not a romance killer. By treating marriage as a financial partnership and using tools like prenups, postnups, and neutral financial experts, couples can foster both greater security and relationship strength. The show's candid, practical tone, supported by data and real-world anecdotes, gives listeners actionable takeaways whether they're pre- or post- “I do.”