Caught between cultural expectations and her own principles, she stands firm, unwilling to surrender her dignity for the sake of a promise unspoken. Her refusal to sign away her rights is not a challenge to her husband, but a plea for faith—faith that the love they’ve built will withstand the pressures of fear and suspicion, and that trust will remain unbroken in their shared journey.
My husband (35M) and I (33F) have been married for 6 years and together for 10 (we knew each other forever, lol). We have 3 kids. When we got married, we were both pharmacists. Two years into our marriage, my husband opened a family business with his father, and the business is doing really well.
My husband gets 50% of the net revenue and owns a good amount of money, but everything is tied up in the company, and the balance is updated every year as the business grows. His father is worried that if we ever get divorced, I’ll ask for half of the business’s money, so he wants me to sign a document relinquishing that right.
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? So, AITA for refusing to sign this?
Conclusion
The original poster is facing a conflict between maintaining her husband’s trust and protecting her established legal and religious entitlements regarding marital assets. Her refusal to sign the document stems from a feeling that her husband should trust her word over a legal safeguard demanded by his father, creating tension around financial security and marital commitment.
Is the original poster correct to refuse signing a document that waives her right to a share of the family business, based on the belief that her husband’s trust should suffice, or is she being unreasonable by not accommodating the concerns of her husband’s family regarding the business’s future?
Here’s how people reacted:
I don’t know what jurisdiction you’re in or whether the law cares at all about religion, but I suspect you’re in a jurisdiction that won’t care about that, and you’d probably be entitled to half your husband’s share in the company in the event of divorce.
Sounds like you probably want to have a serious talk with your husband.
Perhaps worth noting (based on my assumption) he didn’t marry you in and didn’t start the business in a jurisdiction with Islamic law, probably because there’s better opportunities where you are, and now wants the benefit of that law which he didn’t want to live and do business in.
One point I would add is that what he’s asking you to sign is actually a post-nup, not a pre-nup, and while I’m not lawyer, I’ve heard that post-nups have steadily fallen out of favor in legal circles in recent years. Meaning they’re more likely to be set aside in a divorce proceeding – this has something to do with an inherent lack of consideration in the agreement being signed. This is a problem more for him than you, but something to keep in mind, regardless.
I expect the lawyer will tell you not to be a fool and if you’re willing to give up your claim to the business in a divorce you should get something of value in exchange. Such as, say, an extra $100,000 right now. Or an agreement that you get the house in a divorce fully, not 50%.
You’re technically entitled to this money because as his wife, you helped him build the business. If he wants you to give up something you’re entitled to, there’s got to be some sort of compensation for it. Its not even a trust issue for me, its just you shouldn’t be screwed over.
NTA, get a lawyer to help cover your butt.
Watch yourself and be smart, because it could get ugly.
I’m pretty old school but think you are making a mistaken . 125k probably wouldn’t even pay for one child’s university . If he is worth millions and you were married when he had nothing, I think you are not being fair to yourself and your kids
If you divorce, you can and will take half the equity out of the business (you had nothing to do building) and would effectively kill the busines
Please get a lawyer.
Please go to couples counseling.
This is a big yellow flag. Men who are wealthy and happy do not ask these questions
Cause it could also mean your children don’t get anything either
Tack I would take: You can have my word that I’ll ask for 120k, or a paper that says I’ll ask for 300k.
Which would you prefer?
If you truly wouldn’t try to take it from them, then you should have no problem signing the paper to prove that .
Sounds to me he is working on an exit strategy