Full Disclosure
From WeDoMarriage.org - World's First Couple Marriage Contract Wiki
Contents |
A Marriage Contract needs to be based on open and honest sharing of values and circumstances.
Note that this is the fourth numbered section, Section 4, of the Marriage Contract.
4.1 Marital Compatibility
In this set of clauses the couple describes the efforts they have made to understand better their two personalities, and to discover how their personalities affect the dynamics and development of their relationship.
As evidence of their efforts they refer to the one or more Myers-Briggs Type Inventory (MBTI) reports attached as Exhibits to their Marriage Contract.
About the Myers-Briggs Type Inventory (MBTI)®
In summary, the MBTI is a psychometric questionnaire that assesses how people perceive the world and make decisions. Inspired by the work of Cark Jung and developed by Katharine Briggs and her daughter, Isabel Briggs Myers, the MBTI is now available in 21 languages and supported by five decades of scientific research.
Couples can discover more about the MBTI at wedomarriage.com. Also available are a range of resources to help couples answer the question: 'Crazy for each other - or driving each other crazy?'
About the Myers-Briggs Type Inventory (MBTI) Reports
The MBTI® Interpretive Report - Form M (B) is the basic-level, five-page report. It explains a person's personality type in an individualised format, summarises their personality-based strengths and needs, explores their unique pattern of preferences, and explains their clarity of preference and what it means. The report is available online at the wedomarriage.com website or following a personal consultation with a certified MBTI practitioner.
See a sample MBTI® Interpretive Report - Form M (B) (PDF document 90KB).
The MBTI® Step II Interpretive Report - Form Q (B) is the in-depth, 18-page report. It provides a detailed and personalised description that shows the unique that a person expresses their personality type preferences across 20 different 20 facets. It provides insights into how they communicate with others, make decisions, deal with change and manage conflict. It also describes how the different elements of a person's personality work together. More details about obtaining the MBTI® Step II Interpretive Report are available at the wedomarriage.com website
See a sample MBTI® Step II Interpretive Report - Form Q (B) (PDF document 110KB).
A set of sample Marital Compatibility clauses is provided below.
| 4.1.1 | [Romeo] and [Juliet] recognise that an understanding of self, as it is formed by nature and shaped by circumstances, is the foundation to the understanding of others. |
| 4.1.2 | [Romeo] and [Juliet] have each sought, over time and in depth, to discover what in life and love brings them most joy and fulfilment, and identify the ways of living and loving that best enables each to maximise their personal gifts as spouse, parent and citizen of their wider community. |
| 4.1.3 | [Romeo] and [Juliet], aided by insights from the Myers-Briggs type Inventory (MBTI), have each sought to discover the nature and extent of their personality preferences, and to explore and develop their self-awareness and self-understanding as regards their innate approaches to and outlook on life and love. |
| 4.1.4 | [Romeo] and [Juliet], again through the MBTI, have each worked to understand, both in everyday circumstances and in times of challenge, where they source their life energy and focus their attention, how they take in information, how they relate to the outer world and others around them, and how they set priorities, form opinions and make decisions. |
| 4.1.5 | [Romeo] and [Juliet], again through the MBTI, have sought to understand how their personality preferences affect their interactions as a couple. They have done so not merely to minimise occasions of miscommunication and misunderstanding, but also to understand and value each other's gifts, learn how to give and receive appreciation and love, and discover, as they advance through successive life stages, how each can best contribute to the personal growth and development of the other. |
| 4.1.6 | [Romeo] and [Juliet] have each completed the online MBTI® Complete process and obtained their results in a personalised Interpretive Report - Form M (B), copies of which are attached to this Agreement as part of Exhibit Set C. |
| 4.1.7 | [Romeo] and [Juliet], in consultation with a certified MBTI practitioner, have each additionally obtained a personalised Interpretive Report - Form Q (B), copies of which are attached to this Agreement as part of Exhibit Set C. |
4.2 Marital Readiness
In this set of clauses the couple expresses their recognition of marriage as a fundamental, life-changing commitment, and they record the efforts they have made to assess their readiness to enter marriage.
As evidence of their efforts they refer to the Couple Checkup Report attached in the Exhibits to your Marriage Contract.
About the Couple Checkup®
The Couple Checkup is a 30-minute online assessment that provides a detailed analysis of the couple responses. It has been successfully used by over two million couples of every background around the world. It has a scientific basis that draws on 25 years of couple research and insights. The Couple Checkup is available online at a cost just $30.
Couples can discover more about the Couple Checkup at wedomarriage.com. Also available are a range of resources to help couples answer the question: 'Are you ready for each other - are you both ready for marriage?'
About the Couple Checkup Report
The couple's responses to the online Couple Checkup are compared with each other's, and also with an exhaustive database of marriage and relationship research. The personalised feedback includes:
- A user-friendly, 20-page Couple Checkup Report, with the couple's results divided into relational categories.
- A 25-page Couple Checkup Discussion Guide to help couples interpret their results. It features exercises and discussion questions to help the couple improve their relationship.
Versions of the Couple Checkup are available for dating, engaged, cohabiting, married and remarried couples.
See a sample Couple Checkup Report: Married Couples (PDF format, 341 KB).
See a sample Discussion Guide: Dating Couples (PDF format, 343 KB).
See a sample Discussion Guide: Married Couples (PDF format, 199 KB).
A set of sample Marital Readiness clauses is provided below.
| 4.2.1 | [Romeo] and [Juliet] recognise the seriousness and sanctity of marriage, a contract to considered and entering into only with sureness of vision, seriousness of intent and certainty of purpose. |
| 4.2.2 | [Romeo] and [Juliet] have each sought, over time and in depth, to deepen their knowledge and understanding of themselves, of each other, and of their relationship, as it has developed in the past, as it stands currently and as they foresee it blossoming into the future. |
| 4.2.3 | [Romeo] and [Juliet] aided by insights from the Couple Checkup Marital Readiness Inventory, have sought to discover where they stand with regard to issues that are vital in a lifelong relationship, to appreciate and affirm the positives that make their relationship loving, nurturing and special, to identify all issues that effect how their relationship can thrive and grow, and to express and share their deepest expectations of their future together. |
| 4.2.4 | [Romeo] and [Juliet] have each completed the online Couple Checkup process and obtained their results in a personalised feedback report, a copy of which are attached to this Agreement as part of Exhibit Set C. |
| 4.2.5 | [Romeo] and [Juliet], in a dialogue facilitated by a certified relationship professional, have each additionally explored and shared all issues arising from their engagement with the Couple Checkup process. A copy of the professionals' report is attached to this Agreement as part of Exhibit Set C. |
4.3 Marital Wellness
In this set of clauses the couple expresses their recognition that marriage is a union of mind, body and spirit, and record the efforts they have made to assess their current status over a wide range of areas related to their health and well-being.
As evidence of their efforts the couple refer to the various wellness and health reports attached as the Exhibits to the Marriage Contract.
Couples can discover more about marital wellness at wedomarriage.com. Also available are a range of resources to help couples get and stay happy and healthy together.
About the Wellness Inventory® Report
The Wellness Inventory is an online assessment and life-balance program designed to help people gain personal insight into their state of physical, emotional and spiritual wellness. It provides guidance and tools to bring about lasting change and a renewed sense of health and well-being.
About the Personal Health Statement
The WeDo Marriage Personal Health Statement is a self-reported survey of each partner's main body systems, any medications and treatments, family medical history. It is very similar to the standard medical questionnaire used in pre-employment assessment and life assurance screening.
Download a copy (PDF format, 20 pages, 394 KB).
About the Physician's Examination Report
The purpose of the WeDo Marriage Physician's Examination Report is to enable the examining physician create a comprehensive report of each partner's current health status across a wide range of physical indicators of well-being. It is very similar to the standard medical examination forms used in pre-employment assessment and life assurance screening.
Download a copy (PDF format, 9 pages, 152 KB).
About the Personal Bio-Chemistry Report
The Personal Bio-Chemistry Report lists, explains and records the results of a group of seven bio-chemical tests that focus on the prevention and early detection of the most common causes of future poor health. Intended for couples intending to marry, it seeks to balance the health screening range and depth with relevance and affordability.
Download a copy (PDF format, 8 pages, 136 KB).
A set of sample Marital Wellness clauses is provided below.
| 4.3.1 | [Romeo] and [Romeo] have each completed the online Wellness Inventory and obtained their personalised reports, copies which are attached to this Agreement as part of Exhibit Set C. |
| 4.3.2 | [Romeo] and [Juliet], in consultation with a licensed physician, have each completed a Personal Health Statement, copies which are attached to this Agreement as part of Exhibit Set C. |
| 4.3.3 | [Romeo] and [Juliet], in cooperation with a licensed physician, have each completed a Physician's Examination Report, copies which are attached to this Agreement as part of Exhibit Set C. |
| 4.3.4 | [Romeo] and [Juliet], in cooperation with a licensed physician, have each completed a Personal Bio-Chemistry Report, copies which are attached to this Agreement as part of Exhibit Set C. |
| 4.3.5 | [Romeo] and [Juliet] have informed each other of any known genetic condition or medically determinable risk in their DNA profile that our potential children may be subject to as a result of combining our genes. |
4.4 Marital Kinship
In this set of clauses the couple express their recognition of the value and uniqueness of their biological lineage and inalienable stewardship.
As evidence of identity for the purpose of marriage, paternity/maternity and additional legal and medical benefits the couple and their future children, they couple have recorded their DNA genetic profile and family tree information and attached them in the Exhibits to your Marriage Contract.
| 4.4.1 | [Romeo] and [Juliet], valuing the rich and unique biological lineage vested by our forebears in us, acknowledge that we each have researched and documented our family tree, copies of which are attached to this Agreement as part of Exhibit Set C. |
| 4.4.2 | [Romeo] and [Juliet], valuing the rich and unique biological lineage vested by our forebears in us, acknowledge that we each have researched and documented our DNA heritage, copies of which are attached to this Agreement as part of Exhibit Set C. |
4.5 Marital Wealth
Personal financial topics are often the most difficult for people to discuss. But since financial issues often cause significant issues in marriages, it appears sensible to try to reach agreement on you finances before their wedding.
As evidence of their efforts they refer to three pairs of documents attached as Exhibits to the Marriage Contract: a statement of financial values, a personal net worth statement, and a statment of income and expenditures.
Couples can discover more about marital wealth at wedomarriage.com. Also available are a range of resources to help couples put the finance into romance.
About the Color of Money Report
The Colour of Money Report is a 50-item checklist designed to help people identify their
money values. It was created by family economists Dr Dena Wise and Celvia Stovall for the Tennessee Saves project at the University of Tennessee Extension.
Download the Colour of Money Checksheet (PDF format, 6 pages, 125 KB)
About the Net Worth Statement
The Net Worth Statement lists and totals person's assets (what they own) and their liabilities (what they owe). A person's current net worth is just a starting point, and something to compare against in the future.
The couple needs to be honest with each other about what each earns, what each owns and what each owes. This is so that both realise what you are agreeing to. It also removes the possibility of somebody later arguing that one of you was trying to take advantage of the other.
If you aren't honest at this stage either partner could argue to a court that the Agreement should not be upheld. So it's important that each person has fully and completely, to the best of his/her knowledge, disclosed to the other partner his/her current financial condition including all assets and liabilities.
Download the WeDo Marriage Net Worth Statement (PDF format, 5 pages, 42 KB)
| 4.5.1 | [Romeo] and [Juliet] have reflected on and shared their financial values and aspirations. |
| 4.5.2 | [Romeo] and [Juliet] have each completed the Colour of Money Questionnaire, copies which are attached to this Agreement as part of Exhibit Set C. |
| 4.5.3 | [Romeo] and [Juliet] have each fully and completely disclosed to each other their current financial position as documented in their respective Net Worth Statements, copies which are attached to this Agreement as part of Exhibit Set C. |
| 4.5.4 | [Romeo] and [Juliet] have each fully and completely disclosed to each other their incomes and expenditures for the period of three years prior the date of this Agreement in their respective Income and Expenses Reports, copies which are attached to this Agreement as part of Exhibit Set C. |
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