Almost a fifth of Swedes consider a prenup essential
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A new survey by Verian on behalf of Familjens Jurist has revealed that almost one fifth of Swedes (17 percent) would end a relationship if their partner did not agree to sign an äktenskapsförord, a document similar to a prenuptial agreement.
Among Swedes who had previously divorced or separated, that number was even higher at 28 percent.
In March this year, more than 6,000 Swedes applied for a hindersprövning, a document necessary in order for a wedding to take place, according to figures from the Tax Agency.
However, the number of couples who filed a prenuptial agreement with the agency is much lower, at just over 1,000 in January and over 1,300 in June.
When two people marry in Sweden, the default is that everything is shared fifty-fifty if they eventually split.
"A prenuptial agreement is a way to turn that off ‒ either with regard to everything or certain specific property," lawyer Pierre Kryhl from Familjens Jurist told the TT newswire.
A prenuptial agreement can regulate what is considered personal property, or enskild egendom. For it to be valid, it must be written, dated and signed by both parties. It can be altered at a later date if both parties agree, and it can also be signed once the couple are already married.
Kryhl added that they can be especially important in situations where one or both of the partners already have children with a former partner.
"If one of you has a child from a previous relationship then I think it's smart to think about [a prenup], because it affects what the child inherits and how it should be split up," he said.
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The issue can be difficult for couples to discuss, he said, which is something he has noticed when couples book appointments to discuss the specifics.
"You can tell that it becomes very emotional and difficult for them, and understand that they have to go home and discuss it among themselves," he said.
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