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Here’s a story of a couple’s journey that takes an unexpected turn when a generous wedding gift becomes a source of conflict. As this husband navigates his fiancee’s family expectations, tensions rise, putting their relationship to the test.
The Rich-Poor Love Story
We will call the original poster (OP) Ben for the story’s sake.
Ben and his fiancee, Ruby, have been together for about six years and were recently engaged.
Love at Work
The two met at work, and although they share an undeniable chemistry, their family backgrounds are poles apart.
Thriving Through Tough Times
Ben was an immigrant and struggled a lot to be financially stable. Both his parents passed away, and since then, Ben worked hard to achieve his goals.
Fulfilling His Parents’ Dreams
Since childhood, Ben wanted to own a house in honor of his parents’ memory – an intimate dream he had shared with Ruby. Ben’s work ethic started to pay off as he moved up the corporate ladder and increased his income.
Growing Up With Wealth Parents
On the other hand, Ruby grew up with wealthy parents. She went to a private school, had her college paid for, and had multiple yearly vacations. Still, Ruby’s work ethic was undeniably a big reason for her accomplishments.
A Beautiful Couple
Ruby and Ben’s love only grew stronger, and eventually, Ben proposed to Ruby. However, things would suddenly take a turn for the worse.
The Unexpected Gift
One day Ruby’s parents stepped in and gifted her a house that “would be in her name only,” they also expected Ben to sign a prenup. Ben wasn’t happy about this news.
An Insult to Both His Dreams
Ben felt insulted as this gesture portrayed him as a gold digger, even though he earned more than Ruby. He said, “they can’t call it a wedding present if they only give it to one person.”
The Spat Between the Engaged Couple
Ben made it clear to Ruby that he would not be willing to live in a house he didn’t own, which started an argument between the couple. The condition that the prenup will “only cover premarital and inherited assets” further fueled the discussion.
The Dominating Power of Money
Ruby’s parents hired a lawyer to draft the prenup. Because of this, they were able to get all their conditions added to the biased prenup.
Not So Bad?
“Honestly, I don’t think they’re terrible for wanting to give a nice gift but also ensure their investment goes to her in the event of a divorce. In addition, I’m sure prenups are much more common and less offensive in their world. That said, you’ve been dating for six years. They know you, they presumably know your background, homeownership goals, etc.”
A Power Play
“This doesn’t come across as a gift. This comes across as a power play and a need for control. You sound like a smart man. Please do not let your humble beginnings or their apparent wealth lead you to believe they know best.”
Hire a Good Lawyer
“Definitely hire a lawyer who specializes in family law (re: a divorce attorney) to look at the prenup and ensure that any real property you purchase during the marriage will be owned only by you–this will be money well spent.”
A Partial Happy Ending
The story does have a happy ending as Ruby apologizes and agrees to support Ben during this matter. Ben’s sister-in-law also contributed to this settlement by highlighting Ben’s dream.
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