Coin Stories with Natalie Brunell

James Sexton: Top Divorce Lawyer on Money in Relationships and Why 71% of Marriages Fail

29 snips
May 5, 2026
Guest
James Sexton
James Sexton, a renowned divorce lawyer with 26 years handling high-net-worth and complex family law, explains why disconnection—not money—breaks relationships. He explores how childhood scarcity shapes money meaning, why "enough" matters, prenups and postnups as relationship rules, crypto and hidden assets in settlements, and simple weekly practices to rebuild connection.
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INSIGHT

Disconnection Feeds Infidelity And Money Conflict

  • Infidelity and money are often final straws; the real failure is gradual loss of connection.
  • Sexton notes happy, connected people rarely cheat and can have transparent money conversations about mistakes or wins.
ADVICE

Use A Yours Mine And Ours Financial System

  • Create a clear financial division: you, me, and we — with joint accounts for shared expenses and personal accounts for autonomy.
  • Sexton recommends a simple prenup-like structure: assets in one name stay with that person; joint assets split 50/50.
ADVICE

Make Your Own Prenup Rules Early

  • Sign a prenup to set rules you choose rather than relying on government defaults; it reduces conflict by clarifying expectations.
  • Sexton calls prenups enforceable planning tools and compares them to choosing rules before marriage.
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