BNN Bloomberg: Money Talks Before Marriage - Featuring Ron Shulman, Shulman & Partners

As wedding season arrives, discussions of love and commitment often take center stage, but financial transparency and protection are just as important. In an interview with BNN Bloomberg, Ron Shulman, Managing Partner at Shulman & Partners LLP, explains why prenuptial agreements are becoming an essential part of modern marriage planning. He discussed how these agreements create predictability, reduce potential disputes, and address complex realities such as second marriages, debt, and even ownership of family pets. Ron's insights highlighted that marriage is not just an emotional union but also a legal one—and that early, open conversations can prevent costly and stressful conflicts in the future.

“A marriage agreement is really appealing because it creates predictability for people. It’s no longer a mystery what may happen, and it creates stability.”
— Ron Shulman, Managing Partner at Shulman & Partners LLP

Speaking about the rising popularity of prenuptial agreements, Ron explained that these contracts are not about mistrust but about clarity. A marriage, he noted, is a legal partnership that creates financial rights and obligations. A prenuptial or marriage agreement allows couples to define those obligations ahead of time, providing structure in the event of separation or divorce.

Ron emphasized that while the agreements can seem unromantic, they are a practical tool for ensuring fairness and transparency. They establish how property, assets, and spousal support will be handled if the relationship ends, sparing couples from protracted legal battles. However, for such agreements to hold up in court, they must be negotiated fairly, with both parties receiving independent legal advice and providing full financial disclosure. A prenup drafted without transparency or under pressure could later be challenged as invalid.

He also addressed the financial complexities of debt and asset division. Without an agreement, Ontario’s Family Law Act calculates net family property based on assets accumulated during the marriage, but it does not consider negative equity—meaning debts cannot reduce that total below zero. For couples with substantial debt or uneven financial histories, a prenuptial agreement can specify how those obligations will be shared.

Ron noted that prenuptial agreements are especially valuable in second marriages, where blended families and pre-existing assets often complicate financial arrangements. Older couples entering new partnerships, for example, may want to protect children from prior relationships or clarify responsibilities toward former spouses.

Interestingly, he also touched on an emerging area of family law: ownership of pets. In Ontario, pets are still treated as property, meaning that their “ownership” is determined similarly to other assets. Ron pointed out that other provinces are considering legislation to address the emotional and coercive dynamics that can arise when partners dispute custody of a pet. Until Ontario law evolves, prenuptial agreements can help couples make clear arrangements about pets, reducing emotional tension if separation occurs.

Through the conversation, Ron underscored a simple but crucial point: prenuptial agreements are not about expecting failure - they’re about preparing responsibly for all outcomes.

Watch the full BNN Bloomberg segment here.

This media appearance is part of Shulman & Partners LLP’s ongoing contributions to Canadian family law discussions. Explore more of our media features in our In the Media archive.