Huberman Lab
Contracts of Love & Money That Make or Break Relationships | James Sexton
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My guest is James Sexton, Esq., a renowned attorney specializing in contracts related to love and money—prenuptial agreements, divorce and custody. We explore the counterintuitive fact that people with prenuptial agreements tend to stay married longer and report more satisfying relationships than those who don’t. We discuss how legal contracts can foster deeper understanding by encouraging vulnerability and honest communication about each partner’s values and expectations.
We also examine what defines true, lasting love versus generic romantic ideals—and how social media can distort our understanding of what we truly need. Additionally, we review how cultural traditions, gender dynamics, courtship length, and age at the time of marriage shape marital outcomes.
This episode offers practical tools for anyone—single or partnered—to build more successful and stable relationships through deeply honest dialogue and contracts that reflect genuine values around love and money.
Read the episode show notes at hubermanlab.com.
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**This experience may not be representative of the experience of other clients of Wealthfront, and there is no guarantee that all clients will have similar experiences. Cash Account is offered by Wealthfront Brokerage LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC. The Annual Percentage Yield (“APY”) on cash deposits as of December 27, 2024, is representative, subject to change, and requires no minimum. Funds in the Cash Account are swept to partner banks where they earn the variable APY. Promo terms and FDIC coverage conditions apply. Same-day withdrawal or instant payment transfers may be limited by destination institutions, daily transaction caps, and by participating entities such as Wells Fargo, the RTP® Network, and FedNow® Service. New Cash Account deposits are subject to a 2-4 day holding period before becoming available for transfer.
Timestamps
00:00:00 James Sexton
00:02:19 Divorce & Breakups, Men vs Women, Perception; Infidelity
00:12:04 Sponsors: Wealthfront & BetterHelp
00:14:41 Contracts, Business, Marriage Celebration, Prenups
00:26:24 Nesting; Prenups, Creating Rulesets
00:33:56 Prenups & Strengthening Marriage
00:38:19 Marriage Traditions; Divorce Rates, Religion
00:44:44 First vs Second Marriages, Love & Impermanence
00:50:09 Sponsors: AG1 & Our Place
00:53:53 Contracts, Relationships & Hard Conversations
01:02:37 Marriage & Underlying Problems, Love, Successful Marriages
01:16:27 Ideals, Social Media & Advertising, Simplicity, Dogs
01:27:33 Sponsor: Function
01:29:26 Intimacy, Tool: Early Framework for Hard Discussions
01:37:06 Prenup Consultation, Legal Defaults, Reasons for Marriage
01:47:37 Alimony, Prenups & Creating Rulesets, Yours, Mine & Ours, Adultery, Pets
02:02:30 Fond Memories & Ending Relationship, Pain, Divorce
02:12:49 Social Media, Movies & Ideals, Pornography vs Real Sexual Relationships
02:22:43 Revealing Flaws, Bravery, Prenups & Expectations, Money
02:37:49 Bravery, Vulnerability, Relationship Changes, Men vs Women, Marriage
02:47:11 Relationship Sacrifices, Men & Women; Prenups, Government
02:54:45 Life Milestones, Early vs Late Marriage, Navigating Challenges
03:01:38 Courtship Period & Marital Outcomes
03:10:12 Knowing Self & Partner, Vulnerability
03:16:58 “Postnup”, Rekindling or Ending Relationships, Tool: Leave a Note
03:26:41 Heartbreak & Love, Divorce; Acknowledgements
03:34:45 Zero-Cost Support, YouTube, Spotify & Apple Follow & Reviews, Sponsors, YouTube Feedback, Protocols Book, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter
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