Prenups & Postnups
Prenuptial and postnuptial agreements let couples decide in advance how property, debt, and support are handled. Learn what these contracts can and cannot cover, what makes them enforceable or invalid, and why disclosure and independent advice matter — requirements differ from state to state.
All Prenups & Postnups guides
- Does a Prenup Cover Infidelity? Are Cheating Clauses Enforceable?
Does a prenup cover infidelity? Why "cheating clauses" usually fail in court, when they might stick, and enforceable alternatives to protect yourself.
- Does a Prenup Need to Be Notarized or Witnessed to Be Valid?
Does a prenup need to be notarized, witnessed, or recorded? The near-universal rule is writing plus both signatures; the rest varies by state.
- Do I Need a Prenup Before Marriage or Before the Engagement?
No law requires a prenup. But a prenup must be signed before the wedding, and a last-minute one invites duress claims. When to start and why.
- Do I Need a Prenup If I Have No Assets, a Will, or a Trust?
No assets, a will, or a trust? Here's what a prenup actually does that those don't, when one is worth it, and how it works at divorce vs. death.
- Does a Prenup Cover Future Assets and Earnings?
Yes, a well-drafted prenup can cover future assets, earnings, and property acquired during marriage — not just what you owned before. Here's how, and the limits.
- Do I Need a Prenup in My State? California, New York, Texas, and Florida
Whether you need a prenup depends on your state's property rules. How prenups work in California, New York, Texas, and Florida, plus next steps.
- Do I Need a Prenup? How to Decide Before You Get Married
Not everyone needs a prenup. Learn who actually benefits, what a prenuptial agreement can and can't do, and how to decide before you marry.
- Is a Prenup Enforceable? What Makes One Legally Binding
Yes, a prenup is usually enforceable if it's in writing, signed voluntarily, with fair disclosure and no unconscionable terms. Standards vary by state.
- Do I Need a Lawyer for a Prenup? And Can You Write One Yourself?
You usually don't legally need a lawyer to make a prenup valid, but separate counsel for each spouse is one of the strongest things that makes it hold up.
- Can You Get a Prenup After Marriage? Postnuptial Agreements Explained
Yes, you can make a marital agreement after the wedding. Learn how a postnup differs from a prenup, what makes it enforceable, and how state law varies.
- Do You Need a Prenup for Common-Law Marriage or a Domestic Partnership?
A prenup only works if you are actually marrying. Here is how prenups, cohabitation, and partnership agreements really work for common-law couples and partners.
- Does a Prenup Cover Alimony? Waiving Spousal Support Explained
Yes, a prenup can address or waive alimony - but enforceability varies by state. Learn when a spousal support waiver holds up and when you can still get alimony.
- Can a Prenup Protect My House? Keeping Your Home in a Divorce
Yes, a prenup can protect a house you own before marriage and keep it yours in a divorce, if it is drafted and signed correctly. Here is how.
- Does a Prenup Cover Debt? Protecting Yourself From a Spouse's Debt
Yes, a prenup can cover debt between spouses - but it can't bind creditors. Learn what a prenup can and can't shield, and how to protect yourself.
- Can a Prenup Be Voided? What Can Invalidate Your Agreement
Yes, a prenup can be voided for duress, fraud, unconscionability, or bad disclosure. Learn what invalidates a prenuptial agreement and what to do.
- Do I Need a Prenup? A Quiz and Checklist of Warning Signs
A plain-English quiz and checklist to help you decide if you need a prenup, plus what makes one hold up in court. State rules vary.
- What Does a Prenup Cover? Everything You Can and Can't Include
A prenup covers property, debt, alimony, and inheritance — but not child custody or support. See the full list of what you can and can't include.
- Does a Prenup Protect Inheritance? Keeping Family Money Separate
A prenup can protect inheritance and family money, but most of that protection is about preventing commingling. Here is how it works and what to do.
- How Much Does a Prenup Cost? Fees, DIY Pricing, and What Drives It
Prenup costs explained: typical attorney fees, flat-fee and DIY pricing, and what makes the price go up. Plain-English ranges and how to get a quote.