A number of popular reality TV shows pitch a love story that ends with an infatuated couple walking down the aisle and saying, “I do.” Love is Blind, the hit Netflix reality TV show, has resulted in 16 marriages over 10 seasons. While it is fascinating to see the couples’ journeys on the show, many of their conversations do not accurately reflect the realities they may later face in marriage or in divorce. Here are three myths repeated on dating reality TV shows that are worth correcting:

Myth #1: A prenuptial agreement can be signed shortly before the wedding. This may technically be true, but it carries risk if the parties want to ensure that the prenup is enforceable in the event of a divorce. Lawyers are unlikely to take your prenup case if the wedding is less than 30 days away because prenups signed on the eve of a wedding are more likely to come under scrutiny in the event the parties get divorced.  In Washington state, prenups are evaluated based on substantive and procedural fairness.  Procedural fairness requires the couple to (1) fully disclose their assets and liabilities to each other, and (2) enter into the prenup freely and voluntarily, with the opportunity to receive legal advice, and with full knowledge of their rights.  In Love is Blind Season 10, Devonta asked Brittany to sign a prenup less than one week before their wedding. In the Love is Blind context, unless a couple agrees to get a prenup in the pods, there is simply not enough time for them to discuss the pros and cons, disclose their assets, hire attorneys, and finalize and sign the agreement.  A postnuptial agreement would be more feasible.

Myth #2: A single parent can easily move to be in the same city as their new spouse. This depends. In Love is Blind Season 10, Amber – who had an elementary school-aged child – and Jordan repeatedly discussed whether Amber would move to the same city as Jordan after they got married. Depending on Amber’s parenting schedule, she may need to notify her daughter’s father about such a move. In Washington state, a parent who has their child at least 45% of the time must provide 60-day notice to the other parent if they intend to move to a different school district, subject to certain exceptions. The other parent can then object to the move. Therefore, it may be difficult for a single parent to relocate to live closer to the partner they met on reality TV.

Myth #3: Divorce has to be difficult. This is false. Most of the Love is Blind divorces have been of short-term marriages, without any children. Unless the parties acquired substantial assets or incurred substantial liabilities during their marriage, it should be rather easy to reach a resolution that allows both of them to walk away and start fresh. The “messiest” divorce so far has been Lydia and Milton’s from Season 5 due to Milton allegedly refusing to respond to the divorce petition for several months. Though both spouses may try to shape public opinion on who is “at fault” for the marriage ending, it is not relevant in no-fault divorce states.

If you have questions about divorce in Washington state, the Family Law Practice Group at Lasher is here to help.