Pre-nups are sure to cause some short term ill feelings in a relationship. But they can serve to preserve harmony in the long term.
Couples often complain that adult children can and often are disruptive to a 2nd marriage. Not only do children of any age have residual feelings about the break up of their parent's marriage, but they frequently have concerns about a new person in the family circle. Some of that concern can be about their potential monetary inheritance as well as the distribution of family mementos.
A prenuptial agreement forces each partner to make an inventory of the financial assets that he or she owned before the marriage, so that they can determine how to separate those assets at death or divorce. The same holds true for any art, silver, furniture and/or family heirlooms brought into the next marriage.
The beneficiaries of a pre-nup are the entire family. Each participant, including the children, have been given an insight into their financial future and should feel a greater sense of security.