Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Marriage PactTM?

A Marriage PactTM is the unique groundrules you and your partner establish for your relationship. No two Pacts are the same. It covers how you as a couple would like things to go from the mundane to the very serious and is a moral document not a legal one.

To make it meaningful, it is first necessary that each of you know what you want individually from your marriage. What would make YOU happy?

Once you have your expectations in writing, the next step is to compare them. Where you are in agreement, enter that in your Pact. Where you differ, it is necessary to discuss the topic until you have a resolution you can both live with. These should not be like New Year's resolutions that go by the wayside as soon as they are inconvenient.

Think of these agreements as lifetime promises, extentions of your wedding vows. Living by them as your life together unfolds will make all the difference in the world in the satisfaction, joy and togetherness you enjoy in your marriage.

What do you do if your circumstances change and you want to change an agreement in your Marrriage PactTM ?

Whenever any part of your Pact isn't working, you need to review that portion with your partner and attempt to negotiate a change. Remember you made a promise so you may not coerce or intimidate your partner. You may however coax, offer favors or offer a trade off, I'll let you off the hook on A, if you let me off on B.

We recommend your Pact be reviewed annually the first 3-5 years, then every 3-5 years after that. Only the portions causing problems need be discussed and the same compromise techniques you applied originally should be used. No pressure may be used because now a situation is real and you don't like the agreement you made when it was hypothetical.

What is the difference between an Emotional PrenuptialTM and a Marrriage PactTM?

Just timing. An Emotional PrenuptialTM is a Marrriage PactTM done by couples before their wedding which is the best possible time. It dramatically reduces the effect of the "adjustment period." Assuring marital success is easiest before unexpected issues and misunderstandings occur which happens to every married couple. Some small, some large. Some sooner, some later. Some silly, some serious. The process can be done anytime however, even years after you marry, and still have a strong, positive impact on your relationship.

Why does "Shipping" cost so much?

People tend to equate Shipping with Postage which is one part of it. The other component is Handling. (Click for an explanation.)