A woman was blindsided when her father-in-law asked her to sign a document relinquishing any claim to her husband’s business—six years into their marriage.

The woman and original poster (OP), Reddit user Boymom1505, shared her dilemma on r/AITAH, explaining that she and her husband have been married for six years and have three children together.

Both were pharmacists when they wed, but two years later, her husband started a family business with his father.

A Father’s Fear

Their business has gone from strength to strength, and the OP’s husband now receives 50% of its net revenue.

However, because all of his earnings are tied up in the company, the OP’s father-in-law expressed concern that, in the event of a divorce, she might claim half of the business’s value.

So, he asked her to sign a legal agreement relinquishing any rights to her husband’s share.

The OP wrote, “For context, we’re Muslims, and in Islam, the woman is entitled to what was agreed upon prior to marriage in case of divorce. For me, that amount is around $120,000, and our house is already 50/50, so I wouldn’t ask for anything more.

“However, I don’t want to sign anything. I feel my husband should trust me when I say I would never ask for half of his share in the business.

“I also pointed out that his dad didn’t ask his mom to sign such a document, so why should I have to?”

“Do not sign”

Many Reddit users urged the OP not to sign anything without consulting legal counsel, with one warning, “If you’re in the US, I’d tell you to consult a lawyer immediately. This is not something you should have to handle alone, or be forced into.”

Another speculated about the timing of the request: “It must be doing really well for him to ask about it now, do not sign.”

The idea of signing a financial agreement after marriage is known as a postnuptial agreement. While prenuptial agreements are more common, some couples consider postnups when financial circumstances change significantly.

According to Katie Lewis Family Law, individuals should not rush into signing any financial agreements without independent legal advice. Experts recommend understanding the full implications of any contract before committing to it.

The emotional impact of financial disagreements in marriage is well documented. A study cited by Newsweek found that financial disputes are among the leading causes of divorce, second only to infidelity.

Experts suggest that transparency and trust play a crucial role in avoiding financial conflicts in marriage.

Newsweek has contacted Boymom1505 for comment via Reddit.

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