Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you use my link to make a purchase or sign up for a service, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. I only share products and services I believe may be useful to my readers. This article is for general informational purposes and is not legal advice. Prenuptial agreement laws vary by state. For your specific situation, speak with a qualified attorney.
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Getting married is exciting and stressful. There are a lot to think about and do preparations. Like the wedding ceremony, invitations, dresses, rings and other things on the lists. But a prenup is rarely the top to think about. And bringing it up can feel awkward. Your partner might think it like you predicting that the marriage will fail before you've even gotten married.
But that is not what it means. It is simply a way for two people to have an honest conversation about money, property, and debt before getting married. It also give them a chance to talk about how they want to handle their finances in the future.
So do you actually need one? Not every couple does, but here are six things worth thinking about.
1. A Prenup Isn't for Wealthy Couples Only
You don't need several properties or a business empire to have something worth protecting. You might have savings you worked hard to build, an inheritance or investments. Also, debts you prefer to keep separate from your spouse. These alone can be reasons enough to have the conversation going.
It brings money conversation up early, before marriage. Debt, savings, bill-splitting, and joint accounts are things couples should talk about. What happens if one of you stops working because of pregnancy or to raise a child? Will you need someone to help? How will you handle the expense? These are just examples of the topics couples may need to discuss. When you're both over the moon about getting married, none of these conversations sound very romantic. Still, they matter.
A prenup gives you a reason to talk about these things before the wedding instead of after a fight. It puts debt, investments, and expectations on the table early. Even couples who ultimately skip the prenup often find the conversation itself valuable.
2. Think About What You Already Own and What State You Live In
If one of you own a home or has retirement savings while the other has a small business or an inheritance, a prenup can help clarify how to handle these assets. Keep in mind that prenup laws vary by state, so copying a random online template isn't a safe shortcut.
3. Debt Deserves Its Own Conversation
Many people bring some debt into a marriage. A prenup can address how certain debts are handled. Although, the specifics depend on your state and the wording of the agreement. Even without a formal prenup, talking about debt belongs on the pre-wedding checklist. It is better to have that conversation now than years later when resentment has built up.
4. It's Not a Bet Against Your Marriage
The comparison that helps most is insurance. You don't buy car insurance because you expect to have a crash. You buy it because you can't predict the future. A prenup is a way of laying out certain financial arrangements in case the marriage ends. It doesn't make the relationship any less real.
5. The Cost Is a Real Factor
Having a prenup drafted by a lawyer can be expensive, especially when the situation is complicated. Online platforms have made the processing more affordable. The HelloPrenup, for instance, couples who wants to explore an online option can create a prenup online with HelloPrenup for $599 per couple. Its online questionnaire guides couples through the process of creating a state-specific agreement, which HelloPrenup says can take about 1–2 hours.
Attorney-service add-ons are optional, and the service is U.S. based. If your situation is complex, speaking with an independent family-law attorney is still worth considering.
6. Start Early, Not the Week Before the Wedding
Some states have waiting periods or specific disclosure requirements. Leaving it until the last minute adds pressure. You don't need that stress especially when the wedding is getting close. Give yourselves room to talk. Discuss and disclose your finances, then make changes without the wedding stress bearing down on you.
So, do you need one?
There's no single right answer. You might want to consider a prenup if you have:
- Significant assets
- Debt
- A business
- Children from a previous relationship
- An inheritance on the horizon
Even if you decide against it, these questions can still be useful. Money, property, debt, and financial expectations are worth talking about before marriage.
A prenup may not be right for every couple, but having the conversation before marriage can help you understand each other's financial expectations before you say, "I do".
Even if you decide against it, these conversations are prenup prompts. Money, property, and expectations are worth having a talk.
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