The Hammer Comes Down
on Prenuptial Housing

Trending: homes that split up when you do

By Linda Hammerschmid

Just when you thought there couldn’t be more to learn about pre-nups, enter the surreal world of pre-nup homes!

Yes, homes. The concept is called Prenuptial Housing and basically is constructed of two attached equivalent houses that are made to separate into individual homes should the 50% split rate catch up to you.

The structures are prefabricated carbon fiber units with semi-transparent wooden layers, which have a simple coupling (no pun intended) system that allows for the units to become independent entities that float off from each other. Let’s hope the body of water on which they float isn’t small.

Well, this is all fine and dandy for those couples who live in weather conducive conditions that support year round floating and sailing off – not so much for us Northerners I suspect.

But I could see this as a solution for secondary homes down south or at the country lake retreat (unless you split during the winter). Granville Island and Victoria could be possibilities too. Maybe Dubai. (Probably not given the rules there on divorce.)

Or the designer needs to adapt this system for landlocked lovebirds so that the homes are on wheels, like trailer homes, and each couple can roll away when (not if) they split up!

I can see the future now. Marinas full of prenuptial housing with 2 docking areas: coupled and uncoupled! Heck, situate a realtor and a lawyer’s office in the middle for one stop shopping!

The kinks would have to be ironed out, such as the address of the home(s). Do they come with two door numbers? If not, who keeps the number and who had to get a new number.

Are the units furnished exactly the same? If not, who gets first choice of the soon to be separated units?

Marinas full of prenuptial housing with 2 docking areas: coupled and uncoupled! Heck, situate a realtor and a lawyer’s office in the middle for one stop shopping!

The innovation is the brainchild of Omar Kbiri, co-founder of MAAK, and conceptualized by Xander den Duijin, with the design firm Studio OBA. Me thinks it’s back to the drawing board if they want this concept to go worldwide.

Images: courtesy of Studio OBA

Me Linda Hammerschmid is an attorney and has been practicing Family Law since 1982. She is the Senior Partner at Hammerschmid & Associates at 1 Westmount Square, Suite 1290. She is a founding and current member, and past Secretary (28 years) of The Family Law Association of Quebec. She is a frequent guest on CBC TV/Radio, CTV and CJAD, providing commentary on Family Law. You can also hear her regularly on the CJAD show “Passion” with Dr. Laurie Betito, the last Thursday of each month. She and her dog Mac are members of Caring Paws Animal Therapy (CPAT) giving joy to the less fortunate. Me Hammerschmid can be reached at (514) 846-1013 or by e-mail at hammerschmid@vif.com. All inquiries will be treated confidentially.