Is there anything i can do to stop myself from getting screwed over in a divorce?

Barring that you should NOT get married just because thats what people do. People do stupid shit, dont be like them. Marriage is a contract, it is a longterm partnership between two people. You should never sign contracts because, youre drunk and the other party is hot. Marriage is no different. Read what rights and privileges a marriage will give you (there are quite a few). Some of them may have no interest for you whatsoever, some may be a big deal in your favor (those are pros). Then, and most importantly, read up on what you have to give up in order to gain those (these are cons). Weigh the pros against the cons and decide if marriage is in your favor.

If you find a good partner (just like a good business partner) that works with you to help you increasing yours (not just wealth, but happiness and whatever else is important to you) while you simultaneously help them increase theirs so that both of you benefit then it can be a good deal.

Finally since this is /r/askmen there may be a bit of a gendered division in marriage. Research shows a woman's happiness is more important than your own in maintaining a happy relationship, to some extent "happy wife happy life" and all that. Ive never heard anyone say that a happy husband is crucial to a damn thing. And finally women file for divorce 70% of the time. Im not trying to start some kind of women are bad, dont trust women bullshit...its just something to think about. Does the person youre considering forming a partnership with value your happiness or just their own? Are they likely to stick with you when it gets rough or are they going to bail the first second they gain more from divorcing then they lose?

Theres also some evidence that married men fare much better than single men but then theres also evidence that divorced men are much more likely to kill themselves because it wouldnt be possible for society to care any less about middle aged divorced men. I dont have time to source these atm so just points to consider I guess.

/r/AskMen Thread