Decision guide
Do I need a prenup?
A prenup is not only for billionaires. The more useful question is whether you and your partner would benefit from deciding financial rules deliberately rather than relying entirely on default state law.
You may want to explore a prenup if...
- Either person owns a business or professional practice
- One or both of you own real estate
- There is a significant difference in assets, income, or debt
- Either person expects an inheritance, trust distribution, or family wealth
- One person has children from a prior relationship
- You want clarity about future earnings, savings, or investment growth
- You want to coordinate financial expectations before marriage
A prenup is also a process.
Even when a couple ultimately chooses a relatively simple agreement, the process can surface assumptions about money, ownership, support, debt, family expectations, and future planning that are worth discussing before marriage.