'Love Contracts' Force Couples to Define What's Embarrassing

Instagramming that unflattering photo of your significant other could wind up costing you.

Social media agreements are becoming increasingly common, whether as part of formal prenuptial agreements or more informal contracts, said Ann-Margaret Carrozza, a New York lawyer. Carrozza coined the term "love contract," to refer to an agreement made between any two people in a romantic pairing. Essentially, a love contract establishes prerequisites for behavior within a relationship and consequences for when those conditions are violated. A social media clause in a prenup works the same way

Many times, the couple sets up standards so that the punishment fits the crime. Carrozza gave the hypothetical example of a husband who posts unflattering pictures of his wife to the Internet having to donate money to a local charity, as well as take down the offending photo. The repercussions of a breach in the contract can also be determined by whether the relationship has ended or is still ongoing. Read more...