A Note for Parents

Many parents tell me the same thing:
they want to support their son or daughter — but not interfere.

This guide was created with that balance in mind.

It is not advice.
It does not tell couples what to do.

It simply helps them have the conversations
that many wish they had before getting married.

You know something they may not yet fully understand:

A beautiful wedding does not automatically create a strong marriage.

Many couples enter marriage without ever discussing:

• money and financial expectations
• attitudes toward children
• family boundaries
• conflict styles
• mental health history
• long-term life priorities

These conversations often happen after problems appear.

This guide encourages them to happen before the wedding.

People who have experienced divorce  recognise immediately why a guide like this can be valuable. Often because they now understand how many important conversations never took place before the wedding.

“The Due Diligence Checklist is truly amazing. I downloaded it and shared it with friends… I wish something like this had existed before I married. Our vicar never asked the difficult questions, and many issues were never discussed—even after the wedding.

My marriage eventually ended because we wanted different things about children.

As a single mother now, I’ll be using the Checklist if I date again, and I’ll be encouraging my children to do the same when they’re older.”
— Melanie Coombs

This guide is not about interfering in a couple’s relationship.

It is about giving them something far more valuable than another wedding gift.

It is a tool for clarity, honesty and preparation.

The conversations it encourages can strengthen an already healthy relationship — and sometimes prevent avoidable pain later.

SEE A FREE SAMPLE FIRST

If you’re curious about how it works, you can download a generous free sample showing:

• the introduction
• guidance for couples
• selected questions from the questionnaire

This allows you to see exactly what you are giving before purchasing.

Click the ‘download the free sample’  image, or click here to read the sample at your own pace.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Roy Sheppard began his career as a presenter and interviewer on BBC network radio and television, appearing on BBC1, Radio 4 and Radio 5.

Across decades of broadcasting, writing and facilitating conversations, he has developed a deep interest in the dynamics of human relationships.

He has been married and divorced twice.

One marriage ended sadly. The other was catastrophic and should never have happened.

“I would have willingly paid thousands to have had a document like this available to me all those decades ago.”

A Resource Some Couples Share With Their Faith Community

Many churches, synagogues and other faith communities already encourage couples to undertake some form of marriage preparation before their wedding.

Some couples who have used this guide have chosen to share it with their priest, minister, rabbi or marriage preparation group as a structured discussion tool.

While More Important Than a Pre-Nup is not a religious document, the questions it asks about commitment, responsibility, family life and long-term partnership often complement the values many faith communities already emphasise.

If you believe it may be helpful, feel free to share it.

other ebooks by roy

coming soon 2026

App coming soon (April 2026):

What if you knew PRECISELY why your closest friend was STILL single, but you were too scared to tell them?

Now you can. ANONYMOUSLY.

Your friend fills in a confidential self-assessment about your relationship attitudes and beliefs. And then invites you and other trusted friends to fill in the same assessment – but about THEM. Then the friend can compare their self-perception with  the views of those who know them well.

The results could be highly illuminating for your friend – and have a profound impact on their future dating choices.

This will be available on Android and Apple ios.